In New Jersey, countless motor vehicle accidents involve drivers who are 16 to 20 years old. Teenage drivers are prone to certain risks and dangers on the road that lead to serious accidents.
Impaired driving
There are reasons why drinking and driving is illegal for anyone, let alone teenagers who are still developing both physically and mentally. Drinking alcohol significantly impairs motor skills, vision and judgment, which are all necessary for safe driving. One of the main reasons teens get into accidents is because they underestimate how alcohol affects their abilities behind the wheel.
Distracted driving
There are three types of distracted driving that teenagers are prone to. The first one is visual distraction, which is when the driver takes their eyes off the road to look at something, such as a text message. The second type is manual distraction, which is when the driver takes their hands off the wheel to do something, such as adjusting the radio. The third and final type of distracted driving is cognitive distraction. This is when the driver is not paying attention to the road because they are thinking about something else, such as a conversation with a passenger. All three types of distracted driving can lead to serious motor vehicle accidents.
Speeding
Teenagers often feel invincible and indestructible, which can lead them to take risks on the road, such as speeding. Speeding is one of the leading causes of car crashes, and it significantly increases the severity of an accident if one does occur.
Fatigue
Teenagers often have later bedtimes than adults, which can lead to them being tired during the day. This fatigue can lead to drowsy driving, which is just as dangerous as drunk driving. When you’re tired, your motor skills, vision and judgment are all impaired, which can lead to serious accidents.
These are just a few of the risks that teenage drivers face on the road. It’s important for parents to talk to their teens about these dangers and stress the importance of safe driving habits. Additionally, teenagers should be aware of the risks before they get behind the wheel.