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Teen drivers, over the last five years, have been involved in nearly 14,000 fatal crashes and more than 4,200 of those involved speeding, according to a new AAA (American Automobile Association) survey released in October 2016. Speeding is one of the top three mistakes teens make when learning to drive. 

Teen attitudes toward speeding 

In the survey, teen drivers felt that there were instances when speeding was perfectly acceptable. 

• 45 percent of teens reported having driven 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway.
• 50 percent reported having driven 10 mph over the speed limit on a residential street. 

Speeding considerably extends the distance necessary to stop a vehicle. It also increases the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a dangerous situation. 

There may be speeding fines, an increase in insurance premiums, and suspension or loss of a driver’s license if a teen driver is speeding. Even more importantly, speeding can result in serious or fatal accidents. The lack of driving experience and reduced reaction time combined with speeding are a deadly combination when teens drive over posted speed limits. 

Parents and caregivers can have significant impact on reducing teen speeding 

The AAA October survey showed that parents and caregivers play a critical role in their teens’ learning-to-drive process. Driving instructors were asked whether parents today are better or worse at helping their teen learn how to drive than 10 years ago. A large majority (65 percent) of respondents stated that parents are worse compared to 10 years ago. For those stating that parents are now worse, the top reasons were: 

• Parents do not invest enough time (31 percent).
• Parents do not practice enough with their teen (14 percent).
• Parents set bad examples (8 percent). 

Parents can be proactive in reducing teen speeding 

The Governors Highway Safety Association says parents can be proactive in influencing their teen’s driving by: 

• Steering away from high-performance cars, which can encourage speeding behavior. 
• Considering waiting to provide their teens a vehicle of their own, as studies have shown that teens who are considered to be primary users of their vehicles are more likely to speed. 
• Taking advantage of the growing availability of driver-assist technologies offered in new vehicles, including those that keep drivers informed of speeds and speed limits. 
• Putting in place rules that place night-time and passenger restrictions on teen drivers. There is clear evidence from observational, naturalistic and crash studies that young drivers speed much more at night and in the presence of their friends. 

Florida Vehicle Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. encourages all parents and guardians to take a more proactive role in their teens’ driving experiences, and to set good examples for teens to follow. 

“If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicle accident, contact our experienced team of attorneys and staff to assist you,” said Attorney Spivey. 

Florida Vehicle Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just 1 percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239. 337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com  for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.