Teenagers More Reckless Drivers Than Adults

Road accident kills approximately 43,000 people every year, making it the number one cause of preventable deaths in the US, according to a study conducted by the Department of Transportation.

A survey done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) in 2005 revealed that car accident was the leading cause of death among teenagers ages 16 to 19 years old and accounted for 36 percent of deaths among this age group.

In its 2004 study, CDCP said more than 4,500 teenagers have died in car accidents in that same year. With this finding, the department concluded that teenage drivers are four times more likely to encounter road accidents than older drivers.

Several studies suggested that teens are more reckless and risk-taking drivers compared to older people. Meanwhile, gender also plays a vital role in car accidents as it has been found that male teenage drivers are 1.5 times more likely to be involved in collision than female drivers.

The risk increases when teenagers are behind the wheel without adult supervision. Also, the CDCP has found out that the likelihood of an accident increases with the number of teen passengers.

In 2005, the CDCP conducted a comprehensive study on the relation of reckless driving and teen drivers. Here some of the findings:

Traffic accidents are particularly high within the first year after teenagers receive their drivers license.

It is more likely for teens to underestimate a dangerous situation compared to older drivers.

Teens are more likely to over-speed than older drivers. Thirty-eight percent of male teenage drivers who were involved in fatal car accidents were speeding while 24 percent of them were found to have high alcohol level in their blood.

Teens are more likely to cut into the lane than any age group.

The presence of male teenage passengers may increase the risky behavior of young drivers.

Teens have the lowest rate of seatbelt use among age groups. According to a study, 12.5 percent of male students admitted to rarely or never use seatbelts compared to 10 percent among female students.

Three out of four teen drivers who died in a car accident were found to be under the influence of alcohol.

Most deaths involving teenage drivers occurred between 3 pm and midnight and occurred on weekends.


Penalties for reckless drivers

According to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), reckless driving can result to license revocation especially when this has caused injury or death to other motorists and passengers.

On the other hand, if a person is caught driving without a license, a federal court can ask DMV to delay the issuance of license for up to three years after he or she is eligible to drive.

According to law, a driver convicted of reckless driving may face up to 90 days in prison or pay up to $1000. In some cases, if the court decides that the drivers action is wanton and extremely negligent, he or she can face both penalties.

Reckless drivers who commit hit-and-run, who drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or drivers who run away from a police officer will face stricter penalties such as higher fines and suspension of license.

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