That license is firmly in your child’s hands. The State of Georgia has sanctioned your child to drive a car. It is a moment that is likely mixed with pride and terror for you as a parent. It is also a fundamental moment in your child’s development where he is gaining freedom, but he is also putting himself in danger.
Learn What to Expect the First Few Weeks
The first few weeks with a driver’s license may be the most dangerous, according to a recent study. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has released a new study that finds that during the first month of being allowed to drive without a parent in the car, a teen driver is 50% more likely to crash then a driver with one year of solo driving experience and twice as likely to crash when compared to a driver with two years of solo driving experience.
Why is the First Month so Dangerous?
While the statistics may be startling, the reasons that novice drivers are more likely to crash are not surprising. New drivers simply lack the experience to make safe driving decisions and may not drive as carefully without a parent in the car. More than half of new driver accidents were caused by one of the following three reasons:
- Failing to slow down.
- Failure to yield.
- Lack of attention or distracted driving.
Contact Experienced Auto Accident Attorneys in Atlanta if Your Child’s Been Hurt
Often the victims of inexperienced drivers are the drivers’ friends. If your child has been injured in an Atlanta auto accident, then he or she may be entitled to compensation even if the driver was a friend. Please contact the experienced Atlanta car accident lawyers at The Dover Law Firm today to learn more about your child’s rights. We can be reached at 1.770.518.1133.
We also invite you to read our FREE book for more information: 4 Common Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Georgia Car or Truck Claim.
*Source: Teen Drivers Most Likely to Crash in First Month of Solo Driving, by Mark Berman, The Washington Post, October 15, 2011