Teen car accidents are on the rise, and distracted driving isn't the only cause. What are the underlying issues and what are parents, law enforcement, and local government officials doing to educate teen drivers and reform driving safety laws?
The #1 Cause: Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is the leading cause of teen car accidents, which has been the obvious truth for a while. But is it any worse of a problem here in Florida than other states?
Research suggests that the state of Florida ranks #5 for the deadliest states for teens to drive. While we have laws against texting while driving, talking on a cell phone is not illegal.
So even for those teens who intend to obey Florida law by refraining from texting, talking is still a great option from their perspective. In fact, per a 2021 survey launched to identify texting and driving behavior patterns and beliefs, around 60% of respondents believe talking on their cell phones is less dangerous than texting while driving.
We need to change that behavior.
Research suggests that the state of Florida ranks #5 for the deadliest states for teens to drive. While we have laws against texting while driving, talking on a cell phone is not illegal.
So even for those teens who intend to obey Florida law by refraining from texting, talking is still a great option from their perspective. In fact, per a 2021 survey launched to identify texting and driving behavior patterns and beliefs, around 60% of respondents believe talking on their cell phones is less dangerous than texting while driving.
We need to change that behavior.
"100 Deadly Days of Summer"
You may have heard of the "100 Deadly Days of Summer," referring to the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day (AKA summer break). Studies show that teen-involved fatal car accidents are more likely during this time period than any other during the year. More free-time with friends. More excitement. More distractions. More opportunities to load the car with multiple teen passengers.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, "when a teen driver has only teen passengers in their vehicle, the fatality rate for all people increases 51%." Compare that to just 8% when passengers 35 and older are present.
Inexperience behind the wheel is a huge factor that closely correlates with becoming distracted or overwhelmed. The Florida Teen Safe Driving Coalition states that from 2016-2020, "more than one third of all fatalities, serious injuries, and crashes involving a teen driver in Florida occurred at intersections where the mix of traffic, pedestrians, signs, and signals can be overwhelming, especially for someone who is inexperienced."
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, "when a teen driver has only teen passengers in their vehicle, the fatality rate for all people increases 51%." Compare that to just 8% when passengers 35 and older are present.
Inexperience behind the wheel is a huge factor that closely correlates with becoming distracted or overwhelmed. The Florida Teen Safe Driving Coalition states that from 2016-2020, "more than one third of all fatalities, serious injuries, and crashes involving a teen driver in Florida occurred at intersections where the mix of traffic, pedestrians, signs, and signals can be overwhelming, especially for someone who is inexperienced."
Education
"Distracted driving among teenagers is an epidemic," says Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. "We must continue to educate our young drivers about the dangers and enforce stricter penalties to ensure safer roads."
This education can take the form of high school safety training, like AAA's Northeast Teen Safety Summit in New York, where students shared their own distractions and newly adopted safe habits to avoid those distractions.
The Florida Sheriff's Association offers the Teen Driver Challenge (TDC), an annual no-cost program where students participate in lessons and exercises that address topics like distracted driving, aggressive driving and road rage, knowing your vehicle, skid control, and drug and alcohol use.
And the aforementioned Florida Teen Safe Driving Coalition is an organization that offers teen drivers "the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to make informed decisions and develop responsible driving behaviors." Examples of these resources include free driver education materials on subjects like bicycle and pedestrian safety, motorcycle and scooter safety, and distracted driving.
This education can take the form of high school safety training, like AAA's Northeast Teen Safety Summit in New York, where students shared their own distractions and newly adopted safe habits to avoid those distractions.
The Florida Sheriff's Association offers the Teen Driver Challenge (TDC), an annual no-cost program where students participate in lessons and exercises that address topics like distracted driving, aggressive driving and road rage, knowing your vehicle, skid control, and drug and alcohol use.
And the aforementioned Florida Teen Safe Driving Coalition is an organization that offers teen drivers "the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to make informed decisions and develop responsible driving behaviors." Examples of these resources include free driver education materials on subjects like bicycle and pedestrian safety, motorcycle and scooter safety, and distracted driving.
"We are committed to working with parents, schools, and community organizations to promote safe driving habits among our youth."
Sheriff T.K. Waters
2023 Teen Car Accident Fatalities
Nationwide
In 2023, the US saw a troubling rise in teen car accident fatalities. According to the NHTSA, there were around 2,500 teen driver fatalities, a slight increase from previous years.
"The increase in teen driver fatalities is a call to action," says NHTSA Administrator Dr. Steven Cliff. "We must invest in comprehensive driver education programs and community awareness campaigns to reverse this trend."
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville has not been immune to the increase in teen car accident fatalities. In 2023, there were 28 reported teen driver fatalities in Jax alone, underscoring the importance of local efforts - like the Teen Driver Challenge offered by the Florida Sheriff's Association - to address the unique challenges faced by teen drivers in the area.
One of these fatalities included an 18-year old girl. According to the crash report, she was "driving a sedan southbound onto I-295 South's service ramp to Collins Road. As the sedan was nearing the right curve of the exit ramp, the sedan 'continued straight onto the median' in which the front of the vehicle impacted and hit a tree." Her car continued into an embankment and flipped over into a pond.
"Jacksonville has seen too many young lives cut short due to preventable car accidents," says Sheriff T.K. Waters. "We are committed to working with parents, schools, and community organizations to promote safe driving habits among our youth."
In 2023, the US saw a troubling rise in teen car accident fatalities. According to the NHTSA, there were around 2,500 teen driver fatalities, a slight increase from previous years.
"The increase in teen driver fatalities is a call to action," says NHTSA Administrator Dr. Steven Cliff. "We must invest in comprehensive driver education programs and community awareness campaigns to reverse this trend."
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville has not been immune to the increase in teen car accident fatalities. In 2023, there were 28 reported teen driver fatalities in Jax alone, underscoring the importance of local efforts - like the Teen Driver Challenge offered by the Florida Sheriff's Association - to address the unique challenges faced by teen drivers in the area.
One of these fatalities included an 18-year old girl. According to the crash report, she was "driving a sedan southbound onto I-295 South's service ramp to Collins Road. As the sedan was nearing the right curve of the exit ramp, the sedan 'continued straight onto the median' in which the front of the vehicle impacted and hit a tree." Her car continued into an embankment and flipped over into a pond.
"Jacksonville has seen too many young lives cut short due to preventable car accidents," says Sheriff T.K. Waters. "We are committed to working with parents, schools, and community organizations to promote safe driving habits among our youth."
How to Prepare Your Teen for Defensive Driving
Driver Education
Enroll your teen in a reputable driver education program, like the ones previously mentioned. These programs should cover both theoretical knowledge and practical driving skills. As parents, we need to make sure our teens understand and fully comprehend the importance of safe driving practices.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Supervised driving practice is so important in developing a new driver's confidence. Spend alot of time driving with your teen in a wide range of conditions, like at nighttime, when it's raining, when it's windy, when there's a lot of vehicle or foot traffic, in school zones, and on one-way roads.
Set a Good Example
Model safe driving behavior. Teens are more likely to follow good habits if they see them demonstrated by their parents consistently. Make it a part of your routine to consciously think of your teen monitoring your driving behavior and taking mental notes on what to do and what not to do.
Discuss the Dangers
Have open conversations about the risks of distracted driving, speeding, and driving under the influence. Talk about local news stories where teens their age made smart or not-so-smart decisions that lead to different outcomes.
Establish Rules & Expectations
Set clear rules for your teen driver, including limits on nighttime driving, passenger restrictions, and a strict no-texting and no-talking policy. Teach them to pull into a parking lot if they need to make an emergency call. Otherwise, all attention should be on driving.
Enroll your teen in a reputable driver education program, like the ones previously mentioned. These programs should cover both theoretical knowledge and practical driving skills. As parents, we need to make sure our teens understand and fully comprehend the importance of safe driving practices.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Supervised driving practice is so important in developing a new driver's confidence. Spend alot of time driving with your teen in a wide range of conditions, like at nighttime, when it's raining, when it's windy, when there's a lot of vehicle or foot traffic, in school zones, and on one-way roads.
Set a Good Example
Model safe driving behavior. Teens are more likely to follow good habits if they see them demonstrated by their parents consistently. Make it a part of your routine to consciously think of your teen monitoring your driving behavior and taking mental notes on what to do and what not to do.
Discuss the Dangers
Have open conversations about the risks of distracted driving, speeding, and driving under the influence. Talk about local news stories where teens their age made smart or not-so-smart decisions that lead to different outcomes.
Establish Rules & Expectations
Set clear rules for your teen driver, including limits on nighttime driving, passenger restrictions, and a strict no-texting and no-talking policy. Teach them to pull into a parking lot if they need to make an emergency call. Otherwise, all attention should be on driving.
If your teen has been in a car accident, call our Jacksonville car accident lawyers at Wilkes & Mee today. We will help you and your child with insurance company interactions, medical treatment, accident investigation, and compensation.