According to a study conducted by the state of New Jersey, motor vehicle accidents are the primary cause of death for people between the ages of 16 and 20 in the state. In the years the study was conducted (2009-2010), nearly 80 teens died as drivers or passengers in car crashes. In 2009 alone, there were almost 48,000 collisions involving teens.
Authorities say that the most common cause of teen motor vehicle accidents is distracted driving, with the use of handheld devices a leading factor. The study also found excessive speed and failure to obey traffic laws to be frequent causes. Though teens only comprise about six percent of all drivers on the roads in New Jersey, they account for about 13% of all traffic accidents. Most of the teens involved in collisions are male.
New Jersey has a fairly strict law governing driving privileges for teen drivers. People between the ages of 16 and 20 cannot be on the roads after 11 pm or before 5 am, and may not have more than one passenger in the vehicle, unless a parent or guardian is present. Officials say violation of the time restriction does not appear to have been a factor in most teen crashes, as the more frequent time for a young driver to be involved in a crash was between noon and 6 pm.
Though the law requires that they use seat belts, officials say that seat belt usage among teens is the lowest of any age group. Teens are not allowed to use any handheld device while driving, and must prominently display the Graduated Drivers License (GDL) decal on any vehicle they drive.
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At Aronberg, Kouser, Snyder & Lindemann, P. A., we have more than 35 years of experience helping people in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Contact us by e-mail or call our office at 856-429-1700. Your initial consultation is free.
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