The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is known as the “100 deadliest days” of the year for teen drivers because it always sees an uptick in fatalities, many of them stemming from teen driving crashes. Parents and teens in Georgia should know how to prepare for this time.
It should be kept in mind that teens tend to be more prone to unsafe behavior behind the wheel. In a recent AAA Traffic Culture Safety Index, 72% of respondents aged 16 to 18 admitted to some form of negligent driving. The most frequently cited examples were speeding in residential areas, 47%, speeding on the highway, 40%, texting, 35%, and running red lights, 32%.
Drivers aged 16 to 17 are, for every mile traveled, three times likelier to be in a fatal crash than adults are. However, if parents play a role in improving their teens’ driving skills, this could help make the 100 deadliest days less deadly. Parents could start by talking to their teens about unsafe behaviors like drowsy, distracted and impaired driving.
AAA recommends practice driving sessions where parents supervise their teens, and the organization offers a free guide to this end. At least 50 hours of this would be beneficial. Above all, parents must set an example by driving safe themselves.
When teens get in car accidents through their own fault, victims of such accidents may want to file personal injury cases. Victims may want legal assistance with their claims since auto insurance companies can try to force them to settle for less than they deserve. It all begins with an evaluation of the case in light of Georgia’s comparative negligence law. An attorney may have investigators gather proof against the teen driver, which could range from the police report to phone records and eyewitness testimony.
