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Study says parents’ negligent driver behaviors influence teens

On Behalf of | Aug 16, 2018 | Car Accidents

It is an easy assumption for Louisiana drivers who obey the law and operate their vehicles in a safe and cautious manner to think that people who behave recklessly are making a conscious choice. However, research is useful to determine why people might drive in a dangerous way. The circumstances of the crash are key when the injured person and his or her family think about pursuing compensation in a legal filing. One recent study suggests that teenage drivers and how they behave behind the wheel is heavily influenced by parents and negligent driver behaviors behind the wheel.

The study from Liberty Mutual Insurance shows that when parents engage in risky behaviors, such as speeding, taking selfies and DUI. This affects teens who will do the same things. There were 1,000 parents and 2,000 high school drivers who took part in the survey. Of those, 49 percent of the parents said they spoke on the phone when behind the wheel. And, 37 percent admitted to driving at least 10 mph above the speed limit. In addition, 37 percent used apps when driving, while 38 percent of teens did the same.

Fifteen percent of teens stated that they took selfies behind the wheel, and 14 percent of parents did the same. Nine percent of parents said they drove under the influence of marijuana, 8 percent committed DWI and 11 percent said they vaped and drove.

As for teens, they confessed to drinking and driving, using marijuana and driving and vaping and driving. The rates of these behaviors were the same for parents and teens.

Although parents will advise their teen drivers against texting and driving, they will text and drive and expect the teen to respond. Twenty percent of the parents say they text and drive. But, because teen drivers are, in general, inexperienced, taking part in dangerous behaviors behind the wheel exacerbates the risks they face.

The most common way for teens to die is in a car crash, but 37 percent of parents did not issue a punishment to teen drivers for violating the law. These are worrisome trends for people sharing the road not just with teens, but also with their parents.

Most car accidents have a cause, and increasingly, it is due to the behaviors while driving. Given the consequences of car accidents, the medical expenses and potential long-term damage, a lawsuit can be necessary to recover compensation. Calling a lawyer to investigate the case and move forward with a lawsuit is imperative.

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