A study released this week by AAA showed that teen drivers’ risk of crashing is significantly higher in the first month of driving compared to after they have been driving for a year.
According to the study, teen drivers are 50 percent more likely to crash in that first month. Researchers at the University of North Carolina’s Highway Safety Research Center conducted the study and found three key factors contributed to the rise in crashes: failure to reduce speed; inattention and failure to yield.
Researchers found some types of crashes occurred at a relatively high rate and dramatically decreased after the driver gained experience. Crashes, such a left-hand turns were common in the first few months, but declined dramatically after that.
Crashes that occurred from lack of mastering a specific skill took more time to decrease.
AAA suggests it is important for parents of teen drivers help their teen improve their driving skills before they get their license and parents continue to work with their new drivers after they get their licenses to master their driving skills.
AAA also suggests parents take the following steps:
- Practice is key – help your teen by taking them out in various types of driving conditions, such as during rain, snow, bright sun and night time.
- Keep passengers out – Set limits for who can ride with your teen, where they can go and how many at a time
- Limit night driving – Try to keep teens off the road at night when not with an adult until they gain more experience.
- Keep rules – Parents need to set limitations for their teen driver to follow.
If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a car or truck accident, you need the Chicago Accident Attorneys at Dwyer & McDevitt, Ltd. Contact our offices today for a free, initial consultation.
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