Help Your Teen Become a Safer Driver in Missouri
There are many reasons why teens are more susceptible to being involved in Missouri car accidents. They are inexperienced behind the wheel, they are more likely to be driving distracted, they may not be wearing seat belts, they may be overconfident in their driving abilities; the list goes on.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that a recent study by the Pew Research Center found that almost half of teens interviewed said they had been a passenger in a motor vehicle when the driver was using a handheld device such as a cell phone to text. One in three teens said they themselves had texted while driving.
Teens also wear their seat belts less frequently than adult drivers. In 2006, a study found that only 76 percent of young adults ages 16 to 24 reported they wore their seat belt regularly, the lowest of any age group surveyed. That same year, 58 percent of young adults ages 16 to 20 that were involved in fatal car accidents weren’t wearing their seat belt.
Many states, Missouri included, have implemented what are called Graduated Driver Licensing Systems, commonly referred to as GDL systems. The aim of GDL systems is to ease teen drivers onto roadways by controlling their exposure to difficult driving situations by essentially prolonging the learning process, with the aim of reducing the occurrence of wrongful death traffic accidents involving teen drivers. The GDL programs generally consist of three stages; the learner’s permit, the intermediate or provisional license, and eventually full licensure. Teen drivers are required to demonstrate the necessary responsible driving behaviors at each stage before progressing to the next stage.
Teens must be aware of the potential risks of distracted driving and how these dangers can be avoided. The Missouri car accident attorneys at Page Law encourage parents to talk with their teens about safe driving practices and the dangers of driving distracted and not wearing a seat belt.
