*UPDATED November, 2019
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently reported that in 2016, 1,908 young drivers were killed in motor vehicle accidents, which was an increase of nine percent from 2014. In addition, nearly 200,000 young drivers sustained injuries in car accidents in 2015, which was an increase of fourteen percent from 2014. In California alone, 431 people died in accidents involving young drivers, including the young drivers themselves, their passengers, occupants of other vehicles, and non-occupants such as pedestrians and bicyclists. Teen Drivers Nearly 3X More Likely to be in a Fatal Accident than Drivers 20 Years and Older
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, other statistics reveal that motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death for those between the ages of fifteen and nineteen. In fact, teen drivers are nearly three times more likely to be in a fatal accident than drivers who are aged twenty years and older. This high risk is due in part to the fact that younger drivers are more inexperienced than older drivers in the United States. Other factors that put teen drivers at risk include:
This GDL system recommendation includes a minimum age of sixteen years to obtain a learner’s permit, a mandatory twelve-month learner’s permit period, and nighttime driving and passenger restrictions.
New Forms of Car Insurance Appeal to Young Adults
New types of usage based insurance options can make car insurance more affordable to young adults. MoneyUnder30 reports that insured's can save upwards of $500 per year, not an insignificant amount of money to someone age 18-25. Nationwide's SmartRide, MetroMile and Esurance Pay-Per-Mile services are all starting to gain in popularity. While these services can help save money, drivers need to weight the pros and cons of this new technology. For instance, the distance you drive is a major factor in your rate. If you are a low mileage driver commuting back and forth to school and occasional errands this may be a great option. But heavy commuters who go from the Inland Empire to Los Angeles would pay far more with usage-based car insurance.
Centers for Disease Control Prevention Status Reports
The Centers for Disease Control publish Prevention Status Reports that highlight the status of public health policies and practices that are designed to address different health problems and concerns, including motor vehicle injuries. While California does not score as high as other states when it comes to the PSRs, California has at least taken steps to reduce or prevent accident-related injuries and deaths in some policy and practice areas. California does require seat belts for all vehicle occupants, and places some nighttime driving and passenger restrictions on young drivers, but the minimum age for obtaining a California State Driver License Permit is 15.5 years old, and it is classified as "Provisional" for six months. While these policies and practices won’t prevent accidents entirely, they will go a long way towards reducing the number of young driver deaths and injuries.
The Law Offices of Matthew Taylor in Rancho Cucamonga Can Help you Obtain the Compensation you Deserve
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident in California, it is imperative that you consult with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Call the Law Offices of Matthew L. Taylor today at (909) 989-7774 to schedule your free consultation, serving the Inland Empire for over 20 years.
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