Driving with younger passengers can be a serious risk for teen drivers in Oklahoma. According to a study recently issued by the AAA Foundation, the risk of car accident fatalities for teen drivers rises exponentially with every passenger younger than 21, and quadruples with three or more passengers in the vehicle. This significant risk is …
Driving with younger passengers can be a serious risk for teen drivers in Oklahoma. According to a study recently issued by the AAA Foundation, the risk of car accident fatalities for teen drivers rises exponentially with every passenger younger than 21, and quadruples with three or more passengers in the vehicle. This significant risk is compounded by teen drivers’ inexperience and their tendency to be more social, even while driving. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in Oklahoma that was caused by a distracted driver, contact our qualified car accident attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center today. Our law firm is located in Oklahoma City, and our lawyers have years of experience helping accident victims pursue the compensation they deserve for their injuries.
Parents Can Help Prevent Distracted Teen Driving
Statistics collected by the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office indicate that teens make up 5.8% of licensed drivers in Oklahoma, but accounted for 12% of OK car accidents and 7.5% of Oklahoma traffic deaths in 2010. These alarming statistics shed light on the dangers of distracted driving, especially for Oklahoma teens who are accompanied by other young passengers. Fortunately, there are steps parents can take to help their teen drivers stay safe when traveling on Oklahoma roadways.
- Parents should encourage their teens to speak up if they feel as though the teen driver with whom they are riding is not practicing safe driving techniques.
- Parents can also provide alternative transportation for their teens to prevent them from having to ride with a teen driver.
- Parents should spell out and enforce driving rules, especially those specifying curfews and who is permitted to ride in their vehicle.
- Parents should keep in mind that they play an important role in enforcing a no-passenger rule with their beginner drivers.
Contact an OK Car Accident Attorney For Help
Oklahoma car accidents result in serious injury and tragic loss of life each year, and some of the most devastating OK car accidents involve teen drivers and passengers. If you or your teen has suffered injuries caused by a car accident in Oklahoma City, contact our skilled car accident lawyers at Oklahoma Legal Center to discuss your legal options. You may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party, in order to pursue financial compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages due to missed days at work, and other expenses related to the accident. Distracted driving is a dangerous and avoidable cause of Oklahoma car accidents, and parents can help reduce the risk of these accidents by staying involved in their teens’ driving plans.