Colorado car accidents can be dangerous and even deadly for people of any age. However, teen drivers face particularly serious risks, especially as they are often inexperienced behind the wheel. The summer months pose a greater danger for teen drivers; as they enjoy the summer school break and activities with their friends, they are also facing the “100 Deadliest Days” between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Fatal crashes involving teens spike in summer
Fatal crashes involving teen drivers and passengers increase significantly during the summer months, with over 7,000 people losing their lives in accidents involving teens between 2010 and 2019. Each year, teen drivers are involved in almost a million accidents, causing thousands of serious injuries. When teens drive with friends, they are 2.5 times more likely to engage in dangerous driving behavior, as distractions and impulsive activities increase.
The effects of a car accident can be profound and persistent. Teens and others are at risk of losing their lives, suffering broken bones, brain injuries, organ damage and other severe injuries and permanent disabilities. Preventing these crashes is important for protecting teens and everyone else on the road.
Dangers to teens on the road
There are several reasons why teens have a higher rate of fatal crashes as well as those that lead to severe or permanent injuries, including a relative lack of skill and experience as well as immaturity. On average, teens are less likely to wear safety belts and are more vulnerable to distracted driving, especially if they are driving with friends or communicating with friends while behind the wheel.
There are steps that families can take to protect their teens while still allowing them the independence and freedom of driving. Have a serious conversation with your teen and provide them with useful and practical information about how they can protect themselves behind the wheel. This includes the effects of distracted driving. While nearly everyone knows that driving while texting is dangerous, far too many people believe themselves to be the exception. This means that modeling responsible behavior is important to avoid these types of crashes.
