A teenage girl was killed in a Chicago car accident as she was rushing out to save her family dog from being put down. Her 6-year-old Doberman, named Romulus, died in the accident as well, according to Mail Online.Our Chicago personal injury attorneys understand the risks faced by teens. It is especially important for teens to stay out from behind the wheel of a motor vehicle when feeling stressed, tired or any other potentially debilitating mood. Teen drivers don’t have much experience on our roadways and for this reason they can unknowingly make dangerous driving mistakes that can result in fatalities.
The teen was removed from the car and transported to the Advocate Condell Medical Center. She was pronounced dead only an hour later. The friend survived the crash with minor injuries. The dog was thrown from the vehicle and also killed.
Many teens don’t understand the importance of safe, cautious and focused driving habits. Recently, teen drivers were placed on the Nation Transportation Safety Board‘s “most wanted” list. This is a list that includes a number of people and scenarios that are most likely to produce serious or fatal crashes. This list makes up part of the NTSB’s awareness campaign that aims to increase public awareness of these dangers and to get support for state action to adopt safety rules and regulations that can help to prevent such accidents and help to save lives.
Teen drivers account for less than 7 percent of the entire driving population in the United States, but are involved in nearly 15 percent of all fatal car accidents. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, there were more than 5,000 drivers between the age of 15- and 20-year-old were involved in fatal traffic accidents in 2009. Of these fatal accidents, nearly 2,500 teen drivers were killed. Another 196,000 teen drivers were injured in accidents on our roadways. During that year, Illinois witnessed nearly 150 teen deaths resulting from traffic accidents that involved a teen driver.
The NTSB recommends that all states enact a graduated driver licensing (GDL) system to more effectively teach our teen drivers safe driving habits:
-Stage 1: Learner Stage. This is the stage when a teen must drive while supervised by a licensed parent or another licensed family member over the age of 21.
-Stage 2: Intermediate Stage. A teen can drive without anyone in the car. During this time period they’re under rules limited driving hours and passengers.
-Stage 3: Full Privilege Stage: This is a standard driver’s license.
A study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety concluded that states that operate with a GDL system typically experience 40 percent lower rates of injury crash involvement among 16-year-old driver.
Until all states operate with this learning program, responsibility is in the hands of the parent to teach their teen proper, safe, cautious and alert driving habits. With supervised training and positive reinforcement, parents can help to keep their teens safe on our roadways.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.
More Blog Entries:
National Safety Council Takes Nominations for 2011 Teen Driving Safety Leadership Award – Many Nominate Secretary of State Jesse White , Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog, July 5, 2011
Website Dedicated to Teen Driver Education and Reducing Teen Car Accidents in Illinois , Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Blog, June 26, 2011