What Age Group is Involved in the Most Car Crashes?

Peter Olszewski

Car crashes are not experiences exclusive to just one age group. They can happen to anyone at any time, but data shows that new drivers are more prone to getting into crashes than others.

According to a research brief from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, drivers between the ages of 16 and 17 have the highest crash ratings, including crash-related injuries and deaths. Meanwhile, drivers aged 80 and above face the highest fatality rates. Surprisingly, those aged 60-69 emerge as the safest drivers across various metrics.

Regardless of age, a car accident is always a negative experience for everyone involved. At Scartelli Olszewski, P.C., our dedicated lawyers are committed to securing fair compensation and ensuring accountability for those responsible for accidents.

Top Reasons Teenage Drivers Cause the Most Crashes

If you consider car accidents by age, young drivers, especially teens, often underestimate and struggle to identify hazardous situations on the road. This makes them more prone to making critical errors that lead to severe car accidents.

Factors such as texting while driving, speeding, and alcohol consumption contribute to these incidents as well. The primary culprits behind teenage car accidents are distractions and insufficient driving experience.

Lack of Driving Experience

Statistically, teenagers in their first or second years of driving, especially during the first few months, cause the most crashes. This is often caused by new drivers not having enough hands-on experience to recognize and react to hazards on the road.

Many teens are excited to start driving, even if they aren’t fully prepared. Proper and careful driving habits take time and experience to develop.

Driving While Distracted

Distracted driving is a problem for all driver age groups. But where car accidents by age group are concerned, it’s especially prevalent among teen drivers. Examples of distracted driving include:

• Texting while driving
• Eating or drinking while driving
• Checking social media or email while driving
• Talking to car passengers or speaking on the phone while driving
• Changing the radio or choosing music while driving
• Putting on makeup while driving

Many teen drivers fail to realize just how dangerous distracted driving can be. Multi-tasking while operating a motor vehicle puts the driver and everyone else on the road at risk of severe crashes.

Reckless Driving

It seems to be impossible to talk about car accidents by age and not bring teenagers into the equation. Actions like speeding, tailgating, swerving in and out of lanes, and racing are all examples of reckless driving. Young drivers are more likely to engage in these types of behaviors. Reckless driving prevents a driver from carefully watching for and responding to hazards that can cause accidents.

Teenage Passengers

Here’s an often-overlooked reason for teen driving crashes: teenage passengers. Research involving car accidents by age group has shown having teen passengers in the car with a teen driver can increase the risk of reckless behavior, drunk drinking, and other unsafe practices that often cause crashes.

Lack of Seat Belt Use

Another finding related to car accidents by age is the use of seat belts. Seat belts help save lives, but they can’t be effective if drivers and passengers don’t use them. Teenage drivers are more likely to forgo using seat belts. While seat belt use cannot totally prevent crashes, it can reduce the severity of injuries and help avoid death.

Staying Safe

Since it’s clear what age group has the most car accidents, the Pennsylvania Association for Justice has partnered with EndDD.org and the Casey Feldman Foundation. The aim is to provide drivers and parents with resources to educate themselves and their driving-age children on the importance of staying focused behind the wheel. PennDOT has its own resource site.

Because studies on car accidents by age increasingly point toward teenagers, the CDC recommends taking the following steps to keep young drivers safe when driving:

• Familiarize your teen with facts related to car accidents by age group and let them understand that their carelessness can make them highly susceptible.
• Observe closely and offer constructive suggestions for improvement during practice sessions.
• Diversify practice conditions, including various times, weather, and traffic scenarios.
• Mandate seat belt use on every trip to prevent injuries and fatalities.
• Serve as a role model by consistently wearing a seat belt during the drive.
• Address the heightened risk of car accidents by age group through vigilant supervision and adherence to safety measures.

Seek Legal Guidance from a Reliable Car Accident Lawyer

Regardless of who causes them, car accidents can lead to devastating consequences, both physically and emotionally. Victims in these situations need support and guidance to navigate the complexities of legal proceedings.

Seeking the experience of a skilled car accident attorney is vital for achieving the best possible legal outcomes. The compassionate team at Scartelli Olszewski, P.C. understands the challenges victims face and provides personalized legal services.

By choosing experienced representation, victims can focus on recovery while their legal rights are protected. Don’t face the aftermath alone—trust Scartelli Olszewski, P.C. to advocate for justice. If you have been the victim of a car crash, contact our car accident attorney today.

Source:

Comparison of Crash Fatalities by Sex and Age Group

Rates of Motor Vehicle Crashes, Injuries and Deaths in Relation to Driver Age, United States, 2014-2015.

What age group has the most fatal crashes?

nhtsa.gov