Experience is one of the biggest reasons people become good drivers. Unfortunately, there is really no way for young drivers to get that experience other than getting out on the road, making mistakes and learning from them. That’s one of the reasons that teen drivers often have high accident rates.
If you’re sharing the road with them, it is important to know what types of mistakes teen drivers make most often. A few examples include:
- Taking risks. For instance, a teen driver may try to speed for the thrill of it, perhaps taking corners too fast and trying to make driving more of an extreme sport than a safe way to get from one place to another.
- Getting distracted. A lot of young drivers do not realize just how dangerous it is to use their phones while they drive. They also get distracted by friends, music, food and much else.
- Putting too many people in one car. As more people get in a vehicle, the risk of distraction and an accident increase. However, many teens are the only members of their peer groups with a license. They end up driving around with groups of friends, putting everyone at risk.
- Tailgating. Even when they do not mean to, many young drivers follow too closely to the cars in front of them. They do not realize how much distance they need to react to a hazardous situation. They can learn this in time, but it may take an accident to show them how much distance is safe.
Did you suffer injuries in an accident with a young driver? Make sure you know all of your legal options for seeking compensation.