Maryland Fatal Auto Accidents Involving Teen Drivers Decreasing
The Baltimore Examiner reports that the number of auto accidents in Maryland caused by teen drivers is declining.
Citing data from the State Highway Administration, the Examiner notes that from 2003 to 2007 the total number of fatal car crashes caused by drivers between the ages of 16-20 has decreased by 41. This decrease is a 66 percent decline in the total number of fatal crashes in which a teen driver was at fault.
The good news carries over to injury crashes caused by teenagers. State traffic statistics for the four-year period show a decline in injury accidents of over 50 percent. State officials point to the state’s driver’s license program, which allows young drivers to gradually get more experience behind the wheel. This results in more confident drivers able to handle the sometimes rapidly changing conditions behind the wheel.
In spite of this positive news, teen drivers remain some of the riskiest motor vehicle operators on the highways. A recent fatal car crash involving a Westminster teen illustrates this fact. The Baltimore Sun reports that 17-year-old Nicholas Byron died early in the morning of January 11, 2009, when he lost control of his SUV and collided with a telephone pole. Police investigators point to several causative factors in the crash—icy roads and excessive speed for the conditions.
This tragic accident has a third causative factor that is cited by many transportation officials as exacerbating all other causes of teen driving accidents—driver inexperience. Driving is a learned skill. When teens first take to the roads, they must go through a learning curve before they have the combination of learned reflexes and judgment to handle difficult driving conditions.
Unfortunately, that learning curve is also a period of heightened danger. While the news that the number of serious car crashes involving teens is declining is encouraging, the roadways still remain a risky place for younger drivers and everyone else on Maryland’s roads. This is why it may be important to be represented by an experienced Maryland auto accident attorney who can provide proper guidance and defense. Call Meng & Alpert today at 866-444-6363 toll free.
