More than 6.000 teenagers are killed because of alcohol-related car accidents in Hollywood, Florida, and elsewhere every year. The consumption of alcohol contributes to more fatalities among this age group than all illegal drugs combined.
To help reduce the risks of these types of accidents, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is teaming up with the National Football League (NFL) in an attempt to urge teenagers to pledge to never drink and drive and to never ride with a driver who has been drinking. To reward those who are responsible and those who take the pledge, MADD and the NFL are offering official NFL prizes. All you have to do is visit MADD’s Power of You(th) Facebook page, sign the pledge and invite your friends to do the same. Children and other young people between the age of 12 and 21 are eligible to win.
Our Hollywood teen car accident attorneys understand that car accidents are the number one cause of death for teens in the United States. Many of these accidents can be prevented by talking to our young drivers and discussing the consequences of irresponsible behavior behind the wheel. As a matter of fact, drivers who are 16-years-old have the highest accident rate of any age group of drivers. They’re three times more likely to get into an accident than any other group. Frequently discussing the dangers that drivers face on our roadways and the proper way to handle them can help our young drivers to navigate more safely behind the wheel.
In 2008, nearly 2,750 teens died in car accidents on U.S. roadways. These accidents cost the country nearly $35 billion for property damage, medical costs and other various costs, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
Of these fatalities, more than 30 percent were killed in a traffic accidents in which they had been intoxicated, about a quarter of them were considered legally drunk.
Why are teens at such high risks for fatal accidents?
-They are more likely to underestimate roadway dangers than older drivers.
-They’re more likely to exceed the speed limit.
-They’re more likely to follow the vehicle in front of them too closely, or tailgate.
-When passengers are present in the vehicle, drivers are likely to increase their display of risky behavior behind the wheel.
-Teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use.
In a recent survey, nearly a third of all surveyed teens admitted to riding with a driver who had been drinking alcohol within the last 30 days. A tenth of those who were surveyed admitted to drinking alcohol at least once in the last 30 days.
Although teenagers may not be able to drink legally in the U.S., it doesn’t mean they’re not going to. Remember to talk to the young drivers in your life about the dangers, risks and consequences of both driving drunk and riding with an intoxicated driver.
If you or your teen driver has been involved in a drunk-driving accident, or suffered an injury from an alcohol-related incident, contact Freeman, Mallard, Gonzalez & Sharp to discuss your rights. Call us for a free consultation at 1-800-529-2368.
More Blog Entries:
Drunk Driving Accidents Expected to Increase with Alcohol-Serving Fast Food Chains, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, July 14, 2011
Sporting Events a High Risk for Drunk Driving Accidents in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, April 18, 2011