Summer is always a deadly time for teen drivers in Kentucky, and it’s the period from Memorial Day to Labor Day, in particular, that sees a spike in teen driving crash fatalities. There were more than 8,300 such fatalities during this period from 2008 to 2018, and so it’s aptly named the “100 deadliest days.”
There are ways that parents can prepare their newly licensed teens for this dangerous time, and the first thing is to be aware of the numerous ways that teens can act negligently or recklessly behind the wheel and then talk about them. Not wearing a seat belt, for example, can heighten the risk for serious injuries should an accident occur.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducted a survey called a Traffic Safety Culture Index, and in it, 72% of the respondents aged 16 to 18 admitted to bad driving behavior. Of these, 47% admitted to speeding in residential areas and 40% to speeding on freeways. Other behaviors included texting (35%), red-light running (32%) and aggressive driving (31%). Seat belt neglect was mentioned by 17%.
Parents should consider coaching their teens for a minimum of 50 hours’ worth of practice driving sessions. AAA provides a free guide to this end. Above all, parents must set a good example, or their teens may not listen to their advice.
Teen driving crashes can lead to a personal injury claim and, in some cases, even a medical malpractice case. Crash victims may, for instance, be harmed by a delay in treatment that could have been prevented if not for the doctors’ negligence. Whatever sort of case they have, victims may want a lawyer to assess it in light of this state’s negligence laws. An attorney may be able to handle settlement negotiations, litigating as a last resort.