Posted in Car Accident,Tennessee Accident Law on June 9, 2017
Teens can now sign up for a free driver awareness class that will be held in Nashville on June 10.
Per a report by WKRN.com, the course is open to all high school-aged teens, regardless of where they live. In addition, teens who participate aren’t required to have active driver’s licenses or permits.
Metro Nashville Police say that the course won’t focus specifically on operating vehicles, but will instead focus on safety issues such as impaired driving, distracted driving, and traffic safety tips.
The course will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, at the MNPD’s South Precinct on Harding Place. Teens or their parents who are interested in the course can sign up at Nashville’s official website.
The MNPD has offered the course to teens annually since 2011.
What Are the Biggest Risks Teen Drivers Face?
Car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States. In fact, teens ages 16 to 19 years old are more likely to be involved crashes than people in any other age group. However, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention says that most teen motor vehicle accidents are preventable, and proven strategies can be employed by parents and teens to increase their safety behind the wheel.
The CDC recommends the following safety guidelines to help reduce the risks of teen driver accidents:
53 percent of teens of who died in car accidents in 2014 weren’t wearing their seat belts at the time of the crashes. Research shows that all drivers and passengers, regardless of their age, cut their risk of suffering serious and life-threatening injuries in half when they buckle up.
Alcohol can significantly increase everyone’s risk of crashing when they get behind the wheel, but teens can be even more at risk. Because their brains are still developing and because they often have lighter body weights than adults, teens can experience the effects of alcohol more profoundly. That means even small amounts can result in severe difficulty maneuvering vehicles.
In Tennessee, teens must first earn driver’s permits before moving on to restricted licenses and unrestricted licenses. These stages are instituted to help teens gradually learn to cope with increasing responsibilities and freedoms. It’s important to make sure that your teen abides by the graduated driver license program laws by never driving without a parent or guardian with a permit, and never driving past curfew or with multiple passengers with a restricted license.
The CDC also suggests that parents take the time to speak with their teens about common causes of teen accidents, including:
Newly licensed teens have the highest risk of all when it comes to being involved in crashes, as drivers who are 16-17 years old are three times more likely to be involved in crashes compared to 19-year-old drivers. In addition, male drivers are twice as likely to crash compared to female drivers.
Was Your Teen Involved in a Crash? Call Matt Hardin Law
While many teen accidents are caused by preventable factors, many aren’t. Teens are just as at-risk as everyone else when it comes to being hurt by drivers who are reckless, distracted, drunk, fatigued, or otherwise negligent.
If your teen was injured in an accident that was caused by a negligent driver, the Nashville auto accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law want to speak with you. We have more than two decades of experience assisting victims of all ages and helping them and their families recover maximum compensation.
To speak with our legal team, just dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form.
