As we enter the beginning of the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers (the period between Labor Day and Memorial Day, when most teens are out of school), we should be aware of the dangers that await teens on Nashville roads. Fatal car crashes are nearly three times more likely for teens who have recently obtained their driver’s licenses.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was used by AAA’s Foundation for Traffic Safety to figure out that:
- Drivers aged 16 to 17 are 3.9 times more likely to be involved in an accident compared to drivers 18 and up
- 16-17-year-olds are 2.6 times as likely to die in a car accident compared to 18+ year-olds
- 16-17-year-olds are 4.5 times as likely to be involved in an accident compared to drivers 30-59
- 16-17-year-olds are 3.2 times as likely to die in a car accident compared to drivers 30-59
The report showed that even drivers aged 80 and up were less likely to be involved in fatal crashes compared to teens.
Why are fatal teen accidents on the rise? There are a few reasons. Distraction, especially with cell phones, is becoming more and more prevalent among teen drivers. Lack of experience is another big contributor to fatal crash risk. Alcohol and drug use has also been implicated in many accidents. Some teens do not use seat belts and others frequently drive recklessly. However, the most common cause of fatal teen accidents is distraction due to passengers.
2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”