Teen drivers have the highest fatal crash risk of any age group. Per mile traveled, they have the highest involvement rates in all types of crashes, from those involving only property damage to those that are fatal. The problem is worst among 16 year-olds, who have the most limited driving experience that often results in risk-taking behind the wheel.
Crash Risk Factors
- Driver error
Compared with crashes of older drivers, those of teenagers more often involve driver error. - Speeding
Excessive speed is a factor in higher crash rates among 16-year-old drivers. - Single-vehicle crashes
More fatal crashes of teenage drivers involve only the teen’s vehicle. Typically, these involve high speed and/or driver error. - Passengers
Fatal crashes among teens are more likely to occur when other teenagers are in the car. The risk increases with every additional passenger. In 2003, 59 percent of teenage passenger deaths happened in vehicles driven by another teenager. - Alcohol
Although this is a problem among drivers of all ages, it’s actually less of a problem for drivers ages 16 and 17. In 2003, the estimated percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers of this age who had blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) at or above 0.08 percent was 16 percent — down 60 percent since 1982. - Night driving
This is a high-risk activity for beginners. Per mile driven, the crash rate for teenagers driving at night with passengers is 4 to 5 times more likely than teenagers who drive alone during the day. (Source: National Safety Council
, 2005) - Low seat belt use
Teenagers generally are less likely to use safety belts than adults. In 2003, 57 percent of 16- to 20-year-old passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes were not wearing safety belts. (Source:National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , 2005)
http://www.progressive.com/vehicle-resources/teen-driving.aspx
Car Accident Tips
What to Do if You’re in an Accident
//
Stay calm.
Keeping a normal demeanor helps you stay in control of the situation.
Make sure you and your passengers are OK.
Move as far off the roadway as possible, but stay at the scene of the accident. Warn oncoming traffic by activating your hazard warning lights and/or setting flares.
Call the police.
Call 911 or the appropriate emergency number to report the accident.
Contact your insurance company and report the claim.
The sooner your insurance company knows about the accident, the sooner they can start working to resolve your claim.
Do not admit fault.
Do not discuss the car accident with anyone other than the police and your claims representative.
Exchange vital information with the other driver involved in the car accident.
Write down the name, address, phone number and license numbers for all drivers and witnesses, particularly those who were not riding in a vehicle involved in the accident. Ask for the insurance companies and policy numbers for drivers involved in the car accident.
http://www.progressive.com/vehicle-resources/car-accident-tips.aspx
Mazda of Lakewood
Toll Free (888) 472-8555
No comments:
Post a Comment