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Parent Involvement Affects Teen Risk of Car Accidents in Atlanta and Elsewhere

Passengers increase the risks for teen car accidents in Atlanta and elsewhere. On the other hand, parents can help to mitigate their child's risk. Two recent studies, unveiled in the Journal of Adolescent Health revealed that the presence of passengers can contribute to the likelihood of serious teen car accidents. Meanwhile, parents who are highly involved with their teen lessen their chances of a deadly crash.

Passengers are likely to take a teen driver's attention off of the roadway and off of safe driving habits. However, it has been proven that parental involvement can help to keep your teen driver focused on the roadway and focused on the dangers it presents. Graduated driver's licensing (GDL) programs and parental involvement can help to keep your teen safe behind the wheel.

Our Georgia car accident attorneys understand the risks teens face on our roadways. They are not equipped with the experience and knowledge that you and I have gained over years behind the wheel. For this reason, as parents and as caregivers, it's crucial to stay on top of your teen's driving habits. Make sure they're following all of the laws laid out in Georgia's GDL Program.

In our state, drivers who have a restricted license, or an intermediate license, are prohibited from having any peer passengers in the vehicle with them during their first 6 months of holding this license. After six months of experience, they're allowed 1 passenger under the age of 21 in the vehicle with them. They are not allowed to have more than 3 passengers, even when they're over the age of 21, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Passengers can directly influence a teen driver's actions behind the wheel. Researchers recently analyzed data from a number of car accident reports involving teen drivers and found that when passengers were present, teens were distracted just moments before the accidents. Both male and female teen drivers engaged in distractions because of the passengers, though the type of distractions varied depending on the driver's sex. Whereas boys were more likely to display a show-off behavior and drive more dangerously in the presence of other passengers, female teen drivers were more likely to engage in activities with their passengers which took their attention off of the roadway, such as talking or texting. States that have strict passenger laws and comprehensive GDL programs for these learning drivers typically have a lower accident rate for teen drivers.

"One in five females and one in four males who were driving with friends were distracted by something inside the vehicle just before they crashed," said Allison E. Curry, Ph.D., MPH.

Passenger-limiting laws aren't the only way to help keep our teen driver's safe on the road. In another study, it was also concluded that teens who had parents who were involved in their activities behind the wheel were typically safer on our roadways. Parents who knew where there teen was driving, when they'd be home and were familiar with who was riding in the vehicle and how the teen drove typically had a safer-driving teen. When parents are not involved in their teen's driving career, especially at this vulnerable age, teens are less likely to recognize the dangers and the risks that are associated with operating a motor vehicle.

If you or the newly-licensed driver in your family has been injured in a traffic accident, contact the Georgia Personal Injury Lawyers at Casey W. Stevens Law: Alpharetta Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers. Call 877-217-7230 for a free case evaluation. Representing clients in Atlanta, Alpharetta, Woodstock and all of North Georgia.


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After being involved and a five car accident I contacted Casey Stevens law firm. I was given his number by a fellow coworker at my job who had used him in the past and was very satisfied with his services. The car accident included myself my husband and my son, the accident was determined to be the fault of two drivers involved in the accident. Casey personally came to my home the next day and said down with me and my family at the kitchen table and went over all the events of the accident. There were months and months of physical therapy, doctor visits injections and while my son had to have his mouth wired after having his jaw broke in three places. Casey and his staff worked continuously on our case and after it was all said and done, they where able to get us over $300,000 in damages. I really want to Thank Casey Stevens and his staff for always being available for phone calls and answering any questions I might have. I will continue to recommend potential clients to Casey Stevens law firm. Nina F
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Outstanding Attorney. Casey Stevens is outstanding!! Everyone there put me at ease and made me feel that my case was important to them, I was not just another number to them. Their professional staff were always on hand to answer any questions that I had and they sincerely cared about my well being. If I ever need legal help again, you will be my first and only call Susan
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