Getting their driver’s license is a right of passage for many teenagers in Connecticut. After all, a driver’s license gives them freedom to go to school, work or out with friends without having to rely on a ride from mom or dad. However, teens do not have the driving experience and maturity that older motorists do, and, thus, may be more prone to causing car accidents.
In fact, the period spanning from Memorial Day to Labor Day has been dubbed the “100 Deadliest Days” in which the number of deadly auto accidents involving teenage drivers goes up. The average number of fatalities from accidents involving motorists between the ages of 15 to 18 during this period is 17% greater per day compared to other days of the year. Data from 2013 to 2017 shows that during the summer, speeding is a factor in 28% of fatal teen crashes, drunk driving is a factor in 17% and distracted driving is a factor in 9% of fatal teen crashes.
This is significant, as speeding, drunk driving and distracted driving can all be considered negligent actions. If a motorist, teen or otherwise, drives negligently, this breaches their duty of care to operate their vehicles in a manner that is safe under the circumstances. If this breach causes another person to suffer damages, the negligent driver may be held accountable.
Teenagers simply do not have the experience behind the wheel that older drivers do, and they may not appreciate the dangers that speeding, drunk driving and distracted driving pose. If a person is injured in an accident caused by a teen driver, they will want to determine what their options for compensation are, so they can make decisions that are in their best interests.
