Teen Drivers – Back to Schools, On the Roads

With school back in session, many teens are hitting the roads to go to and from classes and extracurricular activities. Unfortunately, this can mean increased risk for pedestrians and motorists who are sharing byways. While they have a right to be on the roads, teens who drive disproportionately put others at risk by speeding, distracted driving, negligence, and driving under the influence.

Each year, the Ohio Department of Transportation releases an annual publication, Ohio Traffic Crash Facts, which reports on crashes by age group across the state. In 2015, the report shows that drivers aged 20 and under were involved in over 70,000 crashes in Ohio. Of those drivers aged 16-20, over two-thirds (67 percent) were found to be in error, making them one of the most dangerous subgroups of Ohio drivers.

At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, we’ve seen far too many cases of injury of both teenage passengers and other motorists due to teen drivers. Our experienced Ohio personal injury attorneys are familiar with the damage teen car accidents can cause, which is why we’re troubled to learn of Ohio’s most recent teenage crash facts. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact KNR at 1-800-HURT-NOW to find out how we can help you.

How to Keep Teens & Their Passengers Safe — 5 Tips for Teen Drivers

Ohio teen drivers are especially prone to error while driving, which can result in serious injury or fatality for themselves and their passengers. A few steps can help reduce the likelihood of teenage driving resulting in personal injury.

• Wear a seat belt—Shoulder belts and lap belts can help save drivers’ and passengers’ lives in all vehicles involved in a crash. The Ohio Traffic Crash Facts publication clearly shows that passengers who didn’t wear a seatbelt put themselves at increased risk of fatality. If you’re a teen or the parent of a teen, enforce the use of seatbelts while in a motor vehicle.
• Don’t drink and drive—Teen drivers place themselves and others at increased risk of injury or fatality by driving under the influence. Last year, nearly 900 crashes occurred due to drivers under the age of 20 driving while intoxicated by alcohol. Stay safe – don’t drive if you’re impaired by drugs or alcohol.
• Stow your cellphone—Distracted driving causes an untold number of accidents each year in Ohio. Stowing your cell phone out of reach and reducing the number of distractions in your immediate environment can go a long way toward making roads safer for everyone.
• Drive at a safe speed—Nearly 10 percent of all fatal crashes in Ohio last year were caused by driving at unsafe speeds, according to Ohio Traffic Crash Facts. Minding speed limits can greatly reduce overall fatalities for teens and for their passengers.
• Stay alert—Many teens driving are new drivers. Therefore, it’s especially important that they maintain awareness of the road and their surroundings while driving. Failing to yield, running a red light, turning improperly, and other examples of negligence while driving can result in hundreds of accidents due to motorists’ error each year.

How the Experienced Ohio Personal Injury Attorneys at KNR Can Help You

At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, we’ve helped numerous individuals affected by teenage drivers. Whether you’re a teen involved in a crash or were personally injured due in a crash involving a teen, our skilled Ohio personal injury attorneys can help you to recover compensation for your injuries. For a free initial consultation of your case, call us at 1-800-HURT-NOW today.