You might have heard that teenagers have the highest crash rates of any age. Many end up injured or injuring others, or dead or killing others each year.
Yet how can age matter so much? It seems like younger people, with faster reflexes than older drivers, should actually have an advantage. Why then, are so many accidents caused by young drivers?
It is more about the experience than age
It takes time to learn to drive well, and kids who are only just old enough to pass their test have not had the opportunity to gain much experience yet.
A person who passes their test aged 30 or 40 would also be high risk because of their lack of experience behind the wheel. However, the advantage they have is that they have likely spent more time being driven around by others, so they know more about how traffic works. They’ve likely seen plenty of accidents and realized the need for caution.
Young drivers, especially teens, can be less cautious. They may take risks that someone who has a family would not consider. They are also more likely to be swayed by friends telling them to do something reckless than someone who has long since learned not to give in to peer pressure.
The important thing is to help new drivers gain the experience they need in safety
Parents can choose when to lend the children the car and when it’s best not to. A late-night party where alcohol might be involved is a high-risk time. Going to pick Grandma up from her doctor’s appointment or going to school for an exam is less so.
If you are injured in a crash, give the driver’s age consideration. It may help you focus on what they did wrong that caused the crash. That could help you get the compensation you need.
