Study Finds Teens More Likely to Be in Crashes in First Month of Driving
A new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that teen drivers are most likely to be in car accidents in their first month of driving rather than in later months.

November 20, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Perhaps unsurprisingly, a new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that teen drivers are most likely to be in car accidents in their first month of driving rather than in later months. The organization and other safety advocates say that being involved in continued driving education is one of the keys ways parents can help their kids avoid being in dangerous car accidents.

The AAA study was performed by researchers from the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center on behalf of the AAA Foundation. Researchers analyzed crashes in North Carolina involving new drivers that occurred in 2001 through 2008.

First Month of Driving Most Dangerous

A recent Washington Post study found that teen drivers are 50 percent more likely to be in a crash in their first month of driving compared to their first year of driving. Teen drivers are also 200 percent more likely to be in a crash in their first month of driving compared to their risk of being in a car accident in their first two years of driving.

The study also identified three mistakes that caused more than half of the new teen drivers' crashes:
- Failure to slow down
- Failure to yield
- Lack of attention

Sadly, statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that car accidents are the leading cause of death for American teenagers. In 2009, about 2,300 drivers aged 15 to 20 years old were killed in car accidents; more than 70 percent of those killed were male, reports the Washington Post.

Safe-Driving Strategies for Teens

To fight the problem of teen car accidents, the AAA Foundation and other safety advocates urge parents to engage with their children in conversations about safe driving habits and suggest the following safety strategies:
- Continue practicing: Practice driving with your teenager on a variety of roads in a variety of conditions.
- Limit passengers: Studies show that additional passengers increase the risk of teen car accidents occurring.
- Avoid night driving: Reduced visibility at nighttime is especially difficult for inexperienced drivers.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a car accident with a teenage driver, contact a personal injury attorney with experience and expertise to discuss your legal options.

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