Teen drivers, who are statistically more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle collision than older drivers, also engage in multi-tasking while driving at a higher rate than more experienced drivers. A recent study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) in conjunction with the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development found that newly licensed teens initially avoid driving distractions but quickly start engaging in secondary tasks at a higher rate than older drivers. Our Georgia Personal Injury Attorneys at Montlick and Associates represent many people who suffer severe injury in crashes caused by distracted teen drivers.

The result of this new research which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that distracted driving might be a particularly serious problem for novice drivers. The report indicates that novice drivers engage in high-risk tasks while driving with increasing frequency as they become more confident behind the wheel. Although motorists ranging from 15 to 20 years of age account for only 6.4 percent of all licensed drivers, they are involved in 14 percent of crashes investigated by law enforcement officers. Teen driver also account for 11.4 percent of fatalities.

The study not only found that teen drivers were more likely to engage in high risk secondary activities but also identified the most common types of such activities:

  • Removing one’s hands from the steering wheel
  • Rubbernecking
  • Eating and drinking while driving
  • Handling a cell phone to engage in text messaging and talking

Newly licensed teen drivers were more diligent about avoiding driving distraction during their first six months after obtaining a driver’s license according to the researchers. Once teens had seven to fifteen months of driving experience, novice drivers engaged in distracting secondary activity at rates comparable to older more experienced drivers. Inexperienced teen drivers who had been driving between sixteen and eighteen months engaged in activities that caused driver inattention at rates that doubled that of older drivers.

New drivers are more prone to make driving errors due to their lack of experience, even when their complete concentration is focused on driving. When this tendency to commit more frequent driving mistakes because of lack of driving experience is compounded by the increased tendency to divide one’s attention while navigating the roadways of Georgia, the risk of a collision is even higher.

Put Our Law Firm’s Over 39 Years of Lega Experience to Work For Your Accident Claim

All motorists regardless of age have a legal duty to avoid drifting into another lane, running red lights and other traffic violations that frequently occur when drivers are mentally, manually or visually distracted. If you are injured by a distracted driver, you may have a right to compensation. Our Atlanta car accident attorneys at Montlick and Associates have been representing injury victims for over thirty years throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.