Focus on Teen Driver Safety

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo issued a news release as part of National Teen Driver Awareness Week to remind teen drivers and their parents about the dangers of driving while distracted. Officials hope that with recent efforts including the introduction of distracted driving laws, the recent statewide crackdown on distracted driving and monitoring services for parents, teen drivers will be safe on our roadways. Statistics show that there are about 331,000 drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 in New York. The data also shows that car accidents are the number one killer of drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 and that most of the crashes occur during the first six months of licensed driving.

The Dangers of Distracted Driving
Although the government can pass laws and enforce them, it is largely up to parents of teens to instill safe driving habits in their children. When combined with inexperience, dangerous practices such as texting while driving, speeding or impaired driving can have terrible consequences.
In July, Cuomo signed legislation to impose the same penalties on drivers with probationary and junior licenses for texting while driving and using a hand-held cell phone that they receive for speeding and reckless driving. In June, Cuomo directed the Department of Motor Vehicles to increase the number of points charged against an individual’s driving record upon conviction for texting-while-driving and cell-phone related infractions from three points to five points for drivers of all ages.
Steps That Can Save Lives
Studies have shown that teens with parents who actively monitor their driving behaviors are 71 percent less likely to drive intoxicated and 30 percent less likely to use a cell phone when driving. The same teens are also 50 percent more likely to buckle up and less inclined to speed.
There are several steps parents can take to ensure that their teens are safe behind the wheel. First, it is important that your teen driver always follows the speed limit. He or she should be able to recognize and avoid distractions. Cell phones and electronic devices should be prohibited in the vehicle. Limiting peer passengers will also help teens avoid or reduce distractions in the vehicle. Teen drivers and passengers should buckle up at all times.
Compensation for Victims
If you or a loved one has been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a car accident, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 and $2,550,000 for two victims of car accidents.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: New York Department of Motor Vehicles (Press release)