Tragically, people are killed and injured on our roads every day and these crashes devastate families, friends and whole communities. What is even worse is that young drivers are two and a half times more likely to be killed in a car crash.
P-plate drivers are more likely to be involved in a fatal crash at night due to inexperience and reduced visibility. This is also the most common time for people to engage in drink driving and be fatigued.
P-plate drivers’ inexperience reduces their ability to avoid a crash when exposed to other drivers behaving unpredictably when impaired by alcohol etc.
Some countries, including the USA and NZ, have restrictions on P-platers driving at night (lasting from 6 to 24 months) and limiting night driving is also an effective way to reduce the risk of a car crash.
Laws in the United States prohibit young drivers travelling with other teenagers in the same car, while the driver is still on a provisional drivers licence. However, new information about these restrictions indicates that they may actually be impacting on the teenager drivers ability to focus on the road.
Distracted driving has reached an all time high. The risk of car accidents relating to the use of technology and driving is continuing to rise. Many of these car accidents could be prevented if teens were allowed to drive with passengers, research shows.
Studies have demonstrated that teens driving solo are more likely to have a car accident. This is because young drivers in the car alone are more likely to be using technological devices while driving.
Texting and driving has been directly linked to a higher risk of car accidents, with even more problems arising among teenage drivers with less developed instincts.
Even though teenagers understand the risk of having an accident when texting at the same time as driving, the vast majority of teenagers persist with their bad habits.
Fifty percent of car accidents with teenagers behind the wheel involve distracted driving when the trip was made solo. This figure was reduced to ten percent when three or more passengers were in the car at the same time.
Ninety five percent of teenagers admit to being distracted by a mobile device while driving.
People injured in distracted-driving car accidents could consider seeking financial compensation if they’re injured.
There is a booklet produced by Monash University for parents of P Plate drivers and we encourage all parents to download and read the booklet. You can download a copy of the booklet called “Going Solo” by clicking on this GC Law link.
If you have been injured in a car accident and want all the compensation you are entitled to, then call us now on 1300 302 318 to arrange a free no obligation appointment or email us your enquiry by clicking here for a free online case assessment within 12 hours.
