While some accidents truly are accidents and happen seemingly out of the blue, or due to forces outside of the drivers’ control, it’s been found that many, many accidents are caused by risky driving. This is especially true with young drivers. Below are a few things that have been shown to help reduce the risk.
1. Making drivers go through different stages with a license. Rather than just giving a driver a full license right away, for example, it can help to make the driver go through a period of time when he or she has to drive with a parent or another adult.
2. Parental interaction is also very important. Some studies have indicated that it helps if teens and parents will write out an agreement saying they’ll both work to reduce risky behavior and promote safe driving. They can then both sign it, and parents can check-in and review the teen’s driving from time to time.
3. Established measures put in place by the government can also help. For example, there are strict laws regarding speeding and penalties for breaking them. The government also improves the roadways by adding things like extra lighting and rumble strips that can help drivers avoid accidents.
4. Finally, it’s important to get rid of distractions for teens and older drivers. One of the biggest reasons drivers crash is because they are not fully paying attention to the road and to driving the car, often because they are using cell phones, talking to friends, eating food, or doing other activities while driving.
While these steps are important, many are already being taken, and it’s clear that car accidents continue to be a leading cause of injury and death. Those who are involved in such accidents may be able to seek compensation, as may those who have lost loved ones.
Source: NICHD, “What are some known solutions to risky driving?,” accessed Aug. 24, 2016