Car Accidents Number One Cause of Unintentional Deaths For Teens

November 02, 2020  /  Marci Goldfarb

Car crashes are the number one killer of teens in America, according to the United States Department of Transportation (DOT).

The same is also true in New York where car accidents are also the number one cause of unintentional deaths for teens ages 16-17, with unsafe speed being the top contributing factor, says the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).

Here are some sobering facts:

  • About 10 people a day are seen in a hospital with injuries sustained in a car accident involving a teen driver.

  • Demographics most at risk from accidents involving teen drivers: newly licensed teens, male teen drivers, teen passengers aged 16-20, and child passengers aged seven to 15.

  • Teen drivers spend approximately more than five days in the hospital for car accident-related injuries.

  • Teen drivers are more at risk due to inexperience, drowsy driving, improper seat belt use, impaired driving, distracted driving, and using an unsafe speed.

  • Teen drivers involved in accidents resulting in incapacitation or death are found at fault 78% of the time.

However, there is hope…

One of the best ways to prevent a tragedy is to speak with teens about the risks and teaching them how to make good decisions like how to follow traffic laws properly.

New York also has a Graduated License Law with restrictions for teen drivers under the age of 18. Driving privileges are different for the Upstate Region, New York City, and Long Island. Detailed upstate junior learner permit restrictions and junior license restrictions can be found on the Department of Motor Vehicle’s website.

Article and copy courtesy of Sarah Darmanjian, News 10.