Beware Of Summertime Driving Dangers

Montlick & Associates, Attorneys At Law Want Parents Of Young Drivers To Beware Of Summertime Driving Dangers

The American Automobile Association (AAA) dubbed the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day the "100 Deadliest Days." Summer has earned this dubious distinction because of the risk young, newly minted drivers pose to themselves and motorists, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. AAA estimates that young drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash during summer than at any other time of the year. During this time frame, 15% of all fatal crashes involve a teenage driver, more than any other time of the year. If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident involving someone else's negligence, Montlick & Associates has the experience, dedication, and compassion to help you recover compensation for your injuries.

According to AAA, studies show that young drivers are at risk to be involved in fatal accidents for two reasons. The first reason is that teenage drivers are driving in greater numbers during the summer than during the school year. The second reason relates to teenage drivers and their lack of experience on the roads. Thus the greater exposure in combination with the young drivers' lack of maturity and driving expertise creates a hazardous situation on the road.

Even just a year or two more experience and maturity driving significantly reduce the teen driver's risk of being in a serious or fatal car crash. Teenagers are nine times more likely to be involved in a car accident than drivers 18 years or older. Additionally, teenage drivers are six times more likely than drivers 18 years of age or older to be involved in a fatal wreck. Comparatively, teen drivers are five times more likely to be in a crash than drivers three to 59 years old and are two times more likely to be in a fatal crash than drivers aged 30-59.

The rate of teen crashes has risen over the past two or three years. According to AAA, citing statistics from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, fatal teenage car accidents have increased 10-fold during that time. In Georgia, statistical data indicate that 180 drivers aged 21 and younger were involved in fatal car crashes in 2015. Among the deceased, 77 were driving, 87 were passengers, and fourteen were not in a car and were either pedestrians or bicyclists. While any fatal crash involving a teenager is tragic, the trend in Georgia shows that the numbers are decreasing year over year and is bucking the national trend. The number of teenagers in fatal crashes was 24% higher in 2008 compared to 2015.

Crash data shows that there are three primary reasons for teenage crashes. Reducing the incidents of these reasons will likely reduce the number of fatal traffic crashes involving teenage drivers. Those reasons are:

• Distracted driving. Teenaged operators are distracted by other passengers, cellphone use, and radio use. Distracted driving accounts for six out of every ten teenage accidents.
• Failure or refusal to wear a seatbelt. Six out of every ten teenagers killed in car crashes in 2015 were not wearing a seatbelt despite educational campaigns warning of the dangers of not doing so.
• Speeding. In thirty percent of all fatal crashes involving teenage drivers, speed was a factor.  In fact, speeding is one of the most common mistakes young drivers make.

Put Our Law Firm's Over 39 Years Of Legal Experience To Work For Your Case!

If you have been injured in any type of accident caused by someone else's negligence, call Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law for your free consultation today to learn about your legal rights as well as what steps can be taken to protect those rights. Montlick & Associates has been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over 39 years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and 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 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 chat.