The National Safety Council and Centers for Disease Prevention are in the midst of a nationwide campaign to highlight and positively influence teens and young drivers. CDC records indicate that traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens and young adults. According to the most recent data from the CDC, more than 2300 teenagers, age 16-19, were involved in automobile crashes that resulted in a death.
The CDC cites several risk factors that are completely within the control of the vehicle operator, including:
- Texting while driving
- Alcohol consumption
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Not wearing a seatbelt
Teen driver fatalities
Closer to home, recent data from the University of Iowa Public Policy Center and the Iowa Department of Transportation indicate that teen driving crashes are the leading cause of death for teens and young drivers in Iowa. The study combined data for drivers under the age of 20 and examined 126 crashes involving 131 drivers that resulted in 143 deaths.
The crashes were categorized by time of day, type of crash, beginner permit or fully-licensed driver, weather conditions and official reports of driver fault. The results of the study indicated that the young drivers were at fault in nearly 75 percent of the crashes that they were involved in.
Although many researchers have described teen driving fatalities as trending down, the statistics remain a blight on the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City regions.
The report found:
- Crashes occurred most often between 2 to 6 pm and midnight to 4 am
- Alcohol and drugs contributed to 25 percent of the crashes
- More than 60 percent of fatal crash drivers were young men
Impact on the entire community
Inexperienced drivers put everyone around them at risk. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety studied 50 families with teen drivers for a period of one year. The results of the study indicated that youth crash rates occur four times more often than those of experienced adult drivers in the same circumstances.
Next Steps
Quite often, teens and young drivers are not attentive or mature enough to recognize traffic and road conditions that might lead to a casualty – coupled with the fact that they are more likely to speed and far more likely to have additional distractions like the use of technology and focus interferences from multiple passengers while driving.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a young or inexperienced driver, please call the law offices of Eells & Tronvold immediately.
Road rookies
Significant efforts by the National Safety Council, the CDC and the University of Iowa to educate the community on the dangers posed by ‘road rookies’ or young and inexperienced drivers should be a year-round campaign. Adult-to-teenager and peer-to-peer communication that focuses on safety and awareness should continue in perpetuity.
Whether you have sustained physical or financial injury, our team of trained professionals will provide old-fashioned customer service and cutting-edge legal support. We will take the time to get to know you and fight for the best possible outcome for your case.
From fender-benders to fatal crashes
All vehicle crashes create problems – even the most minor fender-bender can cause missed work, medical bills and car repair costs. We understand that the impact of a crash can wreck you finances and your physical health. We will aggressively help you fight for fair compensation and a favorable settlement.
Please call 319-393-1020 to schedule your free consultation today. To learn more about car crash injury claims, please visit Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, PLC.
Eells & Tronvold Law Offices, PLC
1921 51st Street NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
319-393-1020
