Posted by: Henness & Haight Team

A new AAA survey found that teenagers are experiencing a higher rate of fatal car accidents due to bad driving habits.

Our Las Vegas car accident lawyers offer a free case review to help you determine if you are able to receive compensation for any injuries you may have sustained.

AAA interviewed 142 driving instructors who reported the three top mistakes that teen drivers make. They also noted that the fault lies with the parents who are not providing the proper education and discipline teens need to learn to drive safely.

AAA advises parents that by being involved with their teen’s driving, they provide a better example that can help prevent the bad habits that cause car accidents. Parents should coach their teens to avoid these three common driving mistakes:

  • Not scanning the roadway properly: Teen drivers relying on tunnel vision while driving do not effectively scan the roadway for hazards and risky situations.
  • Distracted driving: Using cellphones, chatting with passengers and paying attention to items in the vehicle pull a teen driver’s focus from the roadway.
  • Speeding: Teens have not been driving long enough to competently operate a vehicle while traveling faster than the posted speed limit.

Speeding is among the top bad habits that teenaged drivers display when they first begin to drive on their own. The survey analyzed 14,000 fatal accidents involving teenaged drivers and found that 4,200 involved speeding.

Although teens have the stigma of driving carelessly, the study found that 77 percent of adults are more likely to use their cellphone while driving, compared to 68 percent of teens. The study also reported that about the same number of teens and adults admitted to traveling 15 mph over the speed limit.

While adults may engage in the same bad driving habits that teens do, the experience that older drivers have enables them to avoid the high fatality rate that younger drivers are experiencing.

AAA and driving instructors say parents are integral to teaching teens safe driving habits. To improve teen driving behaviors, parents should discuss the dangers of speeding and distracted driving, practice driving together in various roadway and weather conditions, cut distractions while driving, and create agreements with their teens regarding family driving rules. If you were injured in a car accident you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a skilled Las Vegas personal injury attorney today to find out your legal rights.