Philadelphia Residents – Prepare Your Teens for Safe Driving This Summer

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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car crashes are the number one cause of death for teens in the U.S. Roughly 5,000 drivers between the ages of 15-20 are involved in fatal accidents each year. Of those, almost half are killed. Scroll below for 3 things parents should discuss with their teen drivers.

More: What to Do After a Car Accident in Philadelphia

Car accident on highwayIn addition, summertime is fast approaching and for teen drivers in the Philadelphia region, this means an increased risk of auto accidents including car accidents and pedestrian accidents. In fact, according to AAA, teen driving increases roughly 40% during the summer months.

Also, many Philadelphia area teens will be headed to the New Jersey shore for day trips and overnight trips. This means driving on major highways in New Jersey. The NJ Turnpike and the Atlantic City Expressway are major highways with high rates of auto accident injuries. Therefore, it’s important for teen drivers to be aware of the area’s major accident hotspots.

Here are some of Philly’s most dangerous roadways, especially for inexperienced drivers:

  • Interstate 476,
  • Interstate 95,
  • Kelly Drive,
  • Roosevelt Boulevard, and
  • City Line Avenue.

Related: Kelly Drive – A Hot Spot for Philadelphia Auto Accidents & Injuries Lawsuits

Parents – 3 Things Your Teen Driver Should Know

1. Distracted Driving Isn’t Just Using a Cell Phone

For new, inexperienced drivers, distracted driving is a serious issue and increases the risk of causing an auto accident. Distracted driving isn’t just using a cell phone to text or email, which is illegal in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Distracted driving is doing anything that takes your eyes off the road or hands off the wheel, even for a second. Talking on a cell phone, eating, drinking, changing the radio, etc., are all forms of distracted driving.

2. Conversations with Passengers Can Lead to Accidents

Last year, a research study released by the University of North Carolina’s Highway Safety Research Center highlighted the dangers that passengers pose to teen drivers. The study used cameras in vehicles to observe teen drivers and passengers.

According to the study, which was published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, when passengers engage in loud conversations, a teen driver’s attention is seriously, negatively impacted. Teen drivers are 6 times more likely to be involved in an incident requiring evasive maneuvers when passengers are engaging in loud conversations. This study clearly shows that for teen drivers, passengers pose a serious risk of auto accidents.

3. Driving When Tired is Just as Dangerous as Drunk/Distracted Driving

Anyone with a teenager knows that teens stay up late and wake up late. However, teens often don’t get enough sleep. Sleepy or tired driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving or distracted driving, especially for teens. When coupled with other risky behaviors like talking on a cell phone or talking to a passenger, tired driving drastically increases the risk of an auto accident.

Learn more about teen driving safety. Visit NHTSA’s teen driving website.

About the Firm’s Auto Injury Law Practice

Our firm represents Philadelphia residents who’ve been injured in car, truck and pedestrian accidents. Our office is located in downtown Philadelphia, just blocks from City Hall. Call (866) 641-0806 for more information.