Most New York parents worry about the safety of their teens when they begin driving; young people can be more impulsive than adults and make dangerous driving decisions as a result. Teenagers are also more distracted by cellphones and other gadgets than ever before, which increases the risk of them getting into accidents.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accidents are the top cause of death for U.S. teens between the ages of 15 and 18. Nearly 2,000 teen drivers were involved in fatal motor vehicle accidents in 2015, while another 99,000 were injured. Some common reasons that teen drivers crash include distracted driving, poor decision making, inclement weather and general inexperience operating a vehicle.
While these statistics are sobering, parents can help teens become safer drivers by enrolling them in an advanced driver’s training course. There are many courses available across the country, including the Tire Rack Street Survival program, the Bondurant Racing School Advanced Teen Driving program, B.R.A.K.E.S. and Ford Driving Skills for Life. These programs allow teens to experience real-world driving scenarios that general driving courses only skim over. For example, the Tire Rack Program has a wet skid mat that mimics the feel of driving on rain, snow and ice. The program also teaches young drivers how to correctly execute emergency avoidance maneuvers and panic stops. Learning these types of skills can help teens become better, more safety-conscious drivers.
Victims of motor vehicle accidents often file a claim against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy. Unfortunately, many insurance companies have a history of underpaying settlements. As a result, victims might benefit from working with a personal injury attorney. The attorney may review the case and help a victim receive the settlement he or she deserves.