Basic Facts About Teen Auto Accidents

In Colorado, teenage drivers are at an increased risk of danger on the road. In fact, teens between the ages of 16 and 20 are nearly five times more likely to get into an automobile accident while driving compared to the average adult driver over the age of 21. The younger teen is, the more at risk they become.

Whether you are a parent, guardian, or teen driver, understanding teenage driving statistics can help you mitigate common risks on Colorado’s roadways. Below, we will go over nine basic facts about teen auto accidents in Colorado. Once you have the facts, you can help the teens in your life drive more safely.

No matter how safe you drive, sometimes, accidents can happen. If you or a loved one was injured in an automobile accident involving a teenage driver in Colorado, we encourage you to contact our personal injury law firm at 720-464-3600. Here, our skilled team can help you navigate the legal complexities of vehicle accidents involving teens. Matlin Injury Law is here for you and your family!

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Facts About Teen Drivers

Learning how to drive can be an important rite of passage for teenagers. After all, this is a critical step to take into the world of adulthood. Bearing that in mind, there are certain risks associated with teenage drivers. Irresponsible or inexperienced teenage drivers can be dangerous to themselves and others on the road. For this reason, it is important for teens to practice driving safely, become familiar with local roadway laws, and be prepared to mitigate risks when behind the wheel.

Learning to drive can be a particularly stressful experience for teenagers. After all, there are many moving parts and components to figure out. A keen sense of awareness and sharp reflexes are necessary for teenagers behind the wheel. Practice makes perfect and it can take up to five years for a teen to feel fully comfortable as a driver!

The lack of experience is one of the reasons that most vehicle rental companies refuse to allow those under the age of 21 to rent a car. Then, renters between the ages of 21 and 24 are usually not permitted to rent vehicles in the specialty, passenger van, luxury, or full-size categories. This is because according to statistics, drivers under the age of 25 years are more likely to be involved in an auto accident.

Colorado’s Unique Risks for Teen Drivers

Colorado can be a challenging place for teenagers to learn to drive. Although Colorado once was ranked among the nation’s safest places to drive with some of the best motorists in the United States, things have changed. Recently, the state of Colorado ranked among the three most dangerous places to drive with some of the worst drivers in the nation. Denver drivers were ranked the 8th worst among America’s larger cities. This means that teens in Colorado are could be put in a range of risky situations on the road.

In the cities of Parker, Colorado Springs, Denver, Thornton, Aurora, Loveland, Fort Collins, Westminster, and many other areas in between, certain driving hazards are prevalent. For instance, the I-25 presents an array of obstacles for drivers. Additionally, over 1000,000 estimated car accidents take place annually in Colorado.

Other risks like weather can be a real problem in Colorado. With snow, ice, wind, and fog to contend with, inexperienced drivers must be prepared to face a range of unforeseen obstacles. Driving on ice can be a challenge for drivers of any age. For teens, icy roads can be incredibly dangerous. Limited visibility, snow, and high winds can cause other challenging scenarios for young people who aren’t experienced in these kinds of situations. All of this must be considered when factoring in the dangers that teens face when operating a vehicle.

Specific Teen Driving Restrictions Apply in Colorado

Did you know that in the state of Colorado, specific rules apply to teenage drivers? Although the rules of the road apply to drivers of all ages, certain additional restrictions must be followed by teenage drivers.

For example, teens with a permit must always be accompanied by a driving instructor, legal guardian, parent, or licensed adult of at least 21 years of age. Teens with a license may not have any passengers under the age of 21 with them in the vehicle for the first six months after they get their licenses.

The only time that a teenager can bring other underage passengers along for the ride is if a licensed adult driver (over the age of 21) is also in the vehicle with them. After six months, a licensed teen driver may then bring one passenger under the age of 21 along with them in a vehicle.

With that being said, there are certain exceptions for medical emergencies. Finally, at any one time, only one passenger is allowed in the front seat of the vehicle with a teenager behind the wheel.

Your Area May Have Teen Driving Curfews

All teenage drivers in Colorado must abide by a curfew for the first year after becoming licensed. Teens are not permitted to drive between midnight and 5 o’clock in the morning. The only time that a teenager may drive during these hours is if they are accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or driving instructor.

However, there are also exceptions to this rule. Teens driving to or from school or work with a signed statement from their school or employer may drive between the hours of midnight and five a.m. Additionally, medical emergencies and emancipated minors are excluded from this curfew. The curfew laws of Colorado may vary from city to city or county to county. To properly follow the curfew for teens in your area, be sure to confirm local restrictions with your nearest DMV.

This State Has a Zero Tolerance Policy for Drunk Driving

Every day, an estimated eight young people die in the United States because of alcohol-related vehicle crashes. It is important to talk with any teenagers in your life about the dangers of drunk driving. It is equally important to remind teens about the dangers of riding with someone who is driving drunk or high. Driving under the influence of alcohol or substances is punished harshly by law in Colorado. There is a zero-tolerance policy in place for drunk driving among teenagers!

9 Facts to Know About Teenage Car Accidents

Now that you have a better understanding of the policies and risks that pertain to teenage drivers in Colorado specifically, let’s discuss some facts about teen car crashes in general. Here are 9 basic facts concerning teen automobile accidents in the United States. Hopefully, these actualities will be illuminating and helpful to you and the teen drivers in your life.

1. Motor Vehicle Wrecks Cause The Most Deaths Among Teens

Did you know that car crashes cause the most deaths every year amongst teenagers? Car crashes kill more teenagers than overdoses, guns, medical issues, or any other external factors. In fact, according to the IIHS, in 2019, almost 2,400 teens between the ages of 13 and 19 died in automobile crashes. That’s an average of 7 teenagers per day! Teenage drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are nearly three times as likely to be involved in fatal car accidents as drivers over the age of 20.

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2. Inexperience is the Leading Cause of Teen Auto Accidents

Inexperience is the leading cause of teenage automobile accidents. The risk of a teenager being involved in an automobile accident is nearly quadrupled in the first few months. Specifically, the first six months after a teenager receives their license are the most dangerous. Since this is the most difficult time for a teen to be behind the wheel, parents should be extra vigilant.

3. Fatal Teen Crashes Most Often Occur at Night

Have you ever wondered what the most fatal time to drive is? Many studies indicate that nighttime driving is the most perilous. https://www.nsc.org/road/safety-topics/driving-at-night?

Although all drivers are in more jeopardy at night, teenage drivers are particularly at risk. This is one of the reasons that specific curfews pertaining to teenage drivers are in place in many states. Colorado enforces teenage driving curfews and restrictions on teenage drivers with these statistics in mind.

4. Teens Face Eight Unique Dangers While Driving

Teenagers are at risk for a few distinct types of peril. Knowing the leading causes of teen automobile accidents can help you and your teen stay safer.

Here are the leading risks for teen drivers:

• Driver inexperience
• Driving with teen passengers
• Nighttime driving
• Not using seat belts
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Reckless driving
• Impaired driving

5. Teens and Young Adults are More Likely to Drive Drunk

Drunk driving is very dangerous for teens. If you look, it isn’t hard to find someone who has lost a teenager or loved one in a drunk-driving accident. Teens are often tempted to get behind the wheel after having a few drinks. This can lead to all sorts of tragedies. Did you know more than 2 million instances of high school teens drinking and driving take place every month in the United States? Teen drunk drivers are responsible for nearly 20% of fatal alcohol-related collisions. Therefore, it is critical to speak with the teens in your life about the dangers of drunk driving.

6. Teens Can Easily Get Distracted on the Road

It is easy for many people to remember the feeling of being an excitable teen. Unfortunately, this excitement can be an issue behind the wheel. Teen drivers are particularly prone to emotional or distracted driving. This can pose a real danger when teens are on busy roadways, trying to merge, backing out of parking lots, and so on.

7. Teenage Drivers are Less Likely to Wear a Seatbelt

Did you know that teenagers are the least likely to sport seat belts? Taking all age groups into account, teens wear their safety belts less than any other group. Although female teenagers are up to 15% more likely to wear their safety belts than males, the difference isn’t vast. Unfortunately, this puts teens at an even greater risk of danger on the road. Teens who live in rural locations wear seat belts 20% less than those living in city areas.

8. Thoughtful Parents Can Help Teens Drive More Safely

There are many things that parents of teenage drivers can do to help them stay safe on the road. Parents and the guidance they offer are incredibly helpful for teenagers. The calm advice and structured support of a parent, role model, or guardian can impact a teenager long after they navigate the dangerous years of their youth.

Here are some steps to help keep teens safe on the road:

• Parents should ride along with teens 30+ hours before they get a license.
• Parents should watch teens closely and make calm suggestions for improvement.
• Restrict a teen’s driving times and do not let them drive at night alone at first.
• Parents should always have curfews in place for teen drivers as they are first learning.
• Teens should be taught the rules of the road and be informed about any specific regional laws.
• Teens should not be permitted to drive in inclement weather alone without a parent until they are experienced enough.
• Teen drivers should be taught the dangers of drinking and driving.
• It is important that teens are carefully instructed about driving at high speeds on interstates or highways and are always accompanied by experienced drivers until they gain the skills they require.
• Keep teens from driving together until well after the age of 17 whenever possible.
• Certain vehicle technologies are now available for teen drivers. If possible, choose a vehicle with these technologies to help reduce teen crashes, deaths, and associated injuries.

9. The Fault and Liability for Teenage Drivers May Lie with the Parents

Numerous laws exist in Colorado on a parent’s responsibility for their teen’s actions. Specifically, there are laws about who is liable for auto accidents caused by teen drivers. These laws involve responsibility for injuries and damage after an accident and fall under Colorado Revised Statute 13-21-107. So, if your teen causes an accident, you could be responsible. All the more reason to teach them to drive safely, responsibly, and calmly.

Final Thoughts on Teen Car Accidents

Since 2004, over 70,000 children and teens have died in automobile accidents in the United States. More than 40% of the children and teens killed in automobile crashes since 2014 were passengers. The other 42% were teen drivers.

There are many things that parents and Guardians can do to help their teenagers drive more safely in Colorado. Practicing with your teenage driver can go a long way toward helping them conduct themselves more safely over Colorado’s roadways. Knowing the risks of teen drivers can help parents and prevent accidents. Parents should avoid letting inexperienced teen drivers get behind the wheel. This is especially true if their teenager has not proven that they can conduct themselves safely.

Call Our Pedestrian Accident Injury and Claims Lawyers Now

Teenage accidents are never a happy occurrence. In so many instances, they are avoidable. At our firm, we want you and your family to be safe on the road in Colorado. If you or a family member has been hurt by a teenage driver near Parker, Colorado Springs, or anywhere in between, call us. We are here to help our clients navigate the complexities of these types of calamities.

Our team has experience with an array of auto accident cases! At Matlin Injury Law, we can answer your questions and give you the specific legal guidance you are seeking. You can reach us online at any time! Or, during business hours, you can speak with a team member over the phone at 720-464-3600. You can also contact Matlin Injury Law by email: brian@matlininjurylaw.com. We offer risk-free personal injury consultations to injured victims in Colorado. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve now.

Matlin Injury Law is Here for You! Reach Skilled Teen Auto Accident Lawyers in Colorado at (720) 464-3600

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