Speeding drivers are at high risk of being involved in a fatal accident since they are more likely to lose control of their car or to be unable to stop in time. They are also more likely to die since higher speeds result in crashes with more force and momentum, and in turn greater potential damage in a crash.
Teen drivers are also at higher risk of becoming involved in fatal wrecks since they are inexperienced and get into more traffic accidents than those in any other age group. When you combine teen drivers and speeding, therefore, you have a recipe for disaster.
Our Columbus injury lawyers know that auto accidents are a leading cause of death for young people. Recently, however, the GHSA has made clear how big of a role speeding plays in causing fatal teen traffic collisions.
Many Teen Auto Accident Deaths Occur Due to Speeding
According to a recent report by the Governors' Highway Safety Association (GHSA), speeding plays a role in about one-third or 33 percent of all fatal teen car accident deaths. This is an increase from the year 2000 when only about 30 percent of fatal car accidents with teen drivers involved speeding as a major contributing factor.
The three percent increase in speeding-related deaths is more significant than it appears at first, since it is necessary to also consider that the overall teen car accident death rate has been on the decline over the past decade. Thus, even as fewer teenagers become involved in fatal wrecks, a larger percentage of the wrecks are caused by young drivers traveling too fast.
Preventing Speeding-Related Accident Deaths
Lawmakers, schools and parents all have a vested interest in reducing the number of teen deaths that happen, and there are a number of different ways that those in authority can discourage speeding in an attempt to reduce the number of speed-related fatalities.
The GHSA has suggested that graduated licensing laws may be able to help save young lives, especially since teens are more likely to speed when they have a lot of friends in the car with them or when they drive at night. Many states have begun limiting the number of passengers a new teen driver can have with them in the car at one time or have limited how late teens can drive. These efforts can help to tackle some of the greatest speeding risks.
Educating teens about the dangers of speeding can also be important to help reduce speed-related accidents and parents should make sure that they have established clear guidelines and rules for driving that prohibit speeding. Parents may even wish to have their teen sign a driving contract outlining the rules about speeding and acceptable behind-the-wheel behavior.
Doing everything possible to prevent speeding is an important goal for everyone as it can help to save the lives of teen drivers, their passengers and anyone else who happens to be on the road at the time when the young person is behind the wheel.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a car accident in Ohio, call the Smith Law office today at 800-930-SCOTT to schedule a free consultation.
