When the school year ends, more teenage drivers take to Maryland’s roadways, and this means bigger risks for you and everyone else on the road. Teenage drivers lack the experience that older motorists have, making them less able to avoid crashes. Many teen drivers also engage in dangerous behaviors behind the wheel that increase crash risks even further.
Per AAA Newsroom, crash data from between 2013 and 2017 has revealed concerning information about how often teen drivers are taking unnecessary risks behind the wheel. What are some of the dangerous driving behaviors that are common among motorists in this age group?
Speeding
Speeding is often a major contributor to teen driver-involved car wrecks. Between 2013 and 2017, speed had a hand in 28% of all fatal crashes involving teenage drivers. Speeding is also becoming more common among teen drivers. According to one study, just under half of teen drivers surveyed said they sped through a residential area within the past 30 days.
Consuming alcohol
Drunk driving is also common among teenage drivers, with alcohol playing a role in 17% of all fatal teen-involved crashes that took place between 2013 and 2017. Alcohol is also a factor in one out of every six fatal crashes involving teenagers that take place during the summer.
Driving while distracted
Driver distraction, whether the result of cellphone use or something else, also contributes to almost 10% of fatal teen-involved crashes. Some believe this figure is too low and that many crashes caused by driver distraction are not listed as such.
Teen drivers are a threat to you and everyone else traveling near them at any time during the year. However, because teens are more likely to be on the roads during the summertime, risks increase between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
