Florida Study Shows How Safe College-Aged Kids Are Behind the Wheel

Florida is popular for education, employment opportunities, tourism, etc. There are over 20 college institutions and over half a million students.

Teens and young adults from all over the country attend college here, and one of the major modes of transportation is cars.

Most of the population also includes young drivers, leading to automotive accidents in Florida.

Today, there are over 853,000 licensed teen drivers in Florida, but even so, the risk of car crashes by teens, especially college students, has increased.

Driving is fun and exciting for teenagers in Florida, offering newfound independence and freedom. However, with this privilege comes great responsibility.

A recent survey by Bagen Law Accident Injury Lawyers shows that out of 100 motorists, 50 were in a car crash since arriving in Florida.

The age group between 18 and 24 years has less experience, and their risk-taking behavior can lead to disastrous accidents.

This is why teens and their parents must know about Florida’s road safety and driving rules.

This article explains the major causes of road accidents by young drivers, ways to improve driver safety, and how an automotive accident law firm can help you.

Let’s start.

Why Do Young Drivers Cause So Many Accidents?

According to a recent study by Zutovi, Florida ranked 10th for teen driver fatalities. This means teenagers mainly cause automotive accidents in Florida.

Here are some common reasons for fatal car accidents caused by teen drivers in Florida:

1. Failure to Wear a Seat Belt

Teenagers often forget to wear seat belts while driving. This is one of the common causes of automotive accidents in Florida.

This is a critical safety measure for both drivers and passengers. Wearing seat belts can save you from fatal injuries like traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, and broken bones.

2. Florida Weather Conditions      

This state is known for its unpredictable weather conditions. Sudden heavy rain, wet roads, extreme winds, and hurricanes could occur.

Young drivers with less driving experience are usually unprepared for these situations and cause accidents.

3. Partying and Drunk Driving

Colleges and universities are a hub for studying and socializing together. Students hang out with friends and enjoy their freedom.

Many teenagers drive under the influence of alcohol. This partying behavior and drunk driving put themselves and others at risk.

4. Speeding

Teen drivers have a bad reputation for speeding and rash driving. This is one of the reasons why teenagers of age 18-21 are more involved in motor vehicle accidents than other age groups.

5. Distracted Driving       

Another common cause of serious collisions and car crashes is distracted driving.

Young adults engage in texting, talking, and other driving distractions that can put them and other passengers at risk.

6. Nighttime and Weekend Driving:

Driving at night is riskier than daytime for drivers of all ages. However, a lack of experience makes it more dangerous for teen drivers.

How To Improve the Safety of Florida’s Young Drivers

There are ways in which you can improve the safety of Florida’s teen drivers. These include:

1. Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Programs

The Florida government implemented the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program to increase road safety among young drivers.

This program motivates young drivers to learn more about the responsibilities of driving.

The GDL program has restrictions, such as curfews, passenger limitations, and prohibiting the use of cell phones while driving.

These things will help drivers to sharpen their driving skills and gain experience without being in fatal car accidents.

2. Parental Involvement

As parents, you have to teach your teenagers about road safety and driving fatalities.

Discuss the result of speeding, risk-taking behavior, and traffic rules and guidelines. Also, explain its consequences and help them to drive safely.

3. Education and Training

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) administers a comprehensive driver education curriculum in Florida.

This program aims to explain to young drivers about traffic laws, defensive driving techniques, and responsible behavior while driving.

If you ever get involved in a car crash in Florida, you can get help from an automotive accident law firm. These accident lawyers will help you to get fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

Conclusion

If you drive safely and follow the road safety tips, you can prevent serious collisions and automotive accidents in Florida.

Taking appropriate precautions while driving makes the driving experience safer and stress-free for everyone on the road.

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