Should Lawmakers Increase Restrictions for Teen Drivers?

Aug 15,2016

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report suggesting that teen drivers would be safer if they stayed off the road after 9 p.m. The report, based on research from 2009-2014, shows that 31% of drivers ages 16-17 involved in fatal accidents crashed between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Nearly three out of five of those fatal crashes occurred between the hours of 9 p.m. to midnight.

This is crucial information, as many states with driving restrictions begin the restricted time at midnight. CDC epidemiologist Ruth Shults suggests that nighttime restrictions should start earlier in the evening. California restricts teens from driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., but that still leaves teens on the road from 9 – 11 p.m., a time when the risk of fatal crashes is high. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) actually recommends a curfew of 8 p.m. for teen drivers.

“We hope lawmakers will take this research into account when it comes to deciding teen driving curfews. In the meantime, parents would be wise to take this information into consideration when deciding how late they should allow their teens to be driving,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.