Young drivers have the potential to be incredibly dangerous to others on the roads. They are inexperienced, misjudge how well they can handle a vehicle and may drive too fast for the conditions. In 2014, there were 23,679 crashes in Kentucky as a result of young drivers behaving negligently or making mistakes on the roads.
To help prevent these accidents, a 2006 law passed the Graduated Driver's License program. This requirement prolongs the learning process a teen goes through to get a license, giving him or her more time to understand the situations drivers face every day.
During the first 12 months of having a license, teens are at the highest risk of being involved in a crash as they will ever be in their whole lives. What are a few things your teens can do to stay safe? Start by focusing on learning the basics and talking about distracted driving.
Distractions are a serious hazard to young drivers. They come in many forms, whether they're talking to passengers or eating behind the wheel. It's important to talk to your kids about paying attention to the road and wise to encourage them to drive safely without distractions.
If your teen is involved in an accident as a result of another young driver's behaviors, you can file a claim for compensation. With so many teens on the roads, this situation isn't unexpected, and it is important to hold the negligent party responsible.
Source: Kentucky Office of Highway Safety, "New Drivers," accessed June 02, 2017
