Phoenix Depressed Teen Driving Accident Attorneys
Attorney Representation in Phoenix, Arizona Since 1996
Teen Driving and Depression in Arizona
Teenagers driving cause many motor vehicle accidents. As personal injury lawyers in Arizona, we represent a lot of innocent victims that have been seriously injured by a teenage drivers. Teenage drivers need to be extra cautious since they do not have the necessary experience.
According to an Australian study on the link between teen drivers and their mental state, depressed drivers may be more likely to cause a severe accident then non-depressed drivers. Although the data was conducted on a volunteer basis, the researchers believe there is a strong correlation.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration young driver's ages 15-20 years old are especially vulnerable to death and injury while driving. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in America. Mile for mile, teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers.
Research shows that behaviors such as inexperience, immaturity, speed, drinking, not wearing seat belts, distracted driving, drowsy driving, nighttime driving, and drug use all contribute to teen crashes. Now the wide spread effect of depression may considered a factor in teenage driving accidents. Depression in teens often leads to risky behavior such as underage drinking and hazardous driving.
The study used a psychological evaluation designed to detect signs of depression and found that they "can identify drivers who are at greater risk of distress, and therefore at greater risk on the road". The study then begs the question "should young drivers that have shown signs of psychological distress be issued a driver's license, knowing that they present a much greater risk to themselves and other drivers?"
Whether or not depression is an identifiable characteristic in teen motor vehicle accidents is still under investigation. Distracted and risky driving is a large problem in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers a plan to reduce the numbers of teen driving accidents called the Graduated Drivers License or GDL. The GDL includes 3 stages. The 3 stages include specific components and restrictions to introduce driving privileges to beginning drivers. Novice drivers are required to demonstrate responsible driving behavior during each stage of licensing before advancing to the next level. Forty-six states have adopted the GDL laws, and Florida has seen a 9 percent decrease in crashes for drivers who were 16 to 17 years old.
Teen drivers are at a high risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident. The Husband and Wife Law Team, Arizona's personal injury and wrongful death attorneys are available for a free consultation regarding your teen's accident.
