Although driving at night increases the likelihood of becoming involved in a car accident, it is especially dangerous for teen drivers.
Driving at night can be difficult for drivers of all ages. It’s no surprise that the rate of car accidents Nighttime driving conditions present a myriad of hazards to motorists who are trying to navigate their way through the dimly lit roadways. Studies show, however, that teenage motorists are especially susceptible to these hazards when driving at night. In fact, the Georgia Department of Driver Services reported that novice drivers are prohibited from driving between midnight and 5:00am.
A 10-year study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that fatal nighttime crashes increased by 10.2 percent for teen drivers. What makes teenage drivers more accident prone at night?
Limited experience
Even drivers with years of experience can make small mistakes that result in a tragic car accident. Yet, teenagers have limited experience operating a vehicle and are more apt to make poor decisions when faced with nighttime driving hazards. For example, a teen driver is more likely to forget to wear his or her seatbelt, speed through a red light, and have trouble seeing through bright headlight glare. The NHTSA reported that the number of people who buckle up varies by as much as 30 percent from daylight to nighttime.
It can also be hard for teens to judge the distance and speed of an oncoming car. While more experienced motorists know to wait until the car passes, teens are more impulsive and might turn in front of a quickly-approaching vehicle. Bad weather conditions, other reckless drivers and unseen objects in the road can also present dangers to young drivers.
Increased distractions
Although many drivers have trouble putting their cellphones away while behind the wheel, teenagers are notoriously guilty of texting and talking on cellphones while driving. According to Distraction.gov, Georgia law prohibits novice drivers from texting or talking on any type of cellular device while behind the wheel. Law officers who find drivers engaging in these activities can pull over and ticket the negligent parties. Yet many teens believe that they can get away with these illegal activities under the cover of night, and may engage in other distractive behaviors as well.
Finding legal assistance
People who have been involved in a car accident may want to seek legal assistance from a personal injury attorney in Georgia. You may suffer from debilitating injuries, such as broken bones, spinal cord damage or traumatic brain injury that disrupt your ability to function. You may be eligible for compensation for your medical bills, property damage, lost wages from time taken off work and emotional suffering.