Accident rates differ across age brackets. While there is always a risk that a driver of any age could cause an accident, studies consistently find that teen drivers have some of the highest rates. When specifically looking at fatal car accidents, teen drivers cause more of these severe crashes than any other age group.
One of the biggest reasons for this is that teenage drivers are relatively inexperienced. This can lead to mistakes, oversights and negligent driving behaviors that are less likely to occur after someone has spent more time on the road. For example, a teenage driver may not understand how to avoid tailgating by maintaining an appropriate following distance, or they may not know how to adjust their driving for different weather conditions. These skills take time to develop, and mistakes often occur as drivers learn.
How can you stay safe?
As an older driver, you may be concerned about being involved in an accident caused by a teenage driver. Even if you know how to drive safely, you still have to share the road with drivers of varying experience levels. It only takes one mistake to cause a serious crash.
One of the best things you can do is focus on being a defensive driver. This means going beyond simply following traffic laws. You should take deliberate steps to position yourself safely on the road and anticipate mistakes other drivers may make. Staying alert and focused allows you to watch for potential hazards or drivers who appear uncertain or inexperienced behind the wheel.
Seeking compensation
Unfortunately, even defensive drivers can be injured in accidents caused by others. If that happens, it is important to understand how to seek financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages.