Teen drivers are causing numerous accidents all over PA & NJ.

Take some time to talk with your teenage children, grandchildren, or teenage friends about the dangers of distracted driving and help reduce the number of needless car accidents in Pennsylvania.

1,011 fatalities occurred as a result of car accidents in PA from 2005-2009. During the same time span there were 121,845 car crashes in PA involving at least one driver between the ages of 16-19. Fifty-two percent of these car accidents were attributed to a teen driving too fast for the road conditions, driver distraction, driver inexperience, or improper/careless turning.

As a national statistic, car accidents are the leading cause of death among teens. Those 16-19 years old are four times more likely to be in a fatal car accident than those between the ages of 25-69.

We offer these tips to help foster the safety of your teen as well as others on the road:

Do not engage in any other activity while driving.

2. Limit the number of teens in a vehicle at a time.

3. Obey speed limits.

4. Adjust all controls (radio, climate, mirrors) before beginning the trip.

5. Always wear a seatbelt.

The risk of causing a car accident doubles if the driver looks away from the road for only two seconds. Texting and/or talking on cell phones while driving are proven to be dangerous actions that lead to car accidents in Pennsylvania. A driver's attention should be focused only on driving. This means no texting, adjusting the radio, eating, applying make-up, dialing a cell phone, or completing any other task.

Safe driving requires acute perception of what is going on around the vehicle at all times and quick reflexes to handle the unforeseen, such a deer or a child running out into the street, or someone in front stopping short. Teen drivers need to remain alert at all times because the many circumstances they will encounter will be new to them as inexperienced drivers. Current research has revealed that those under the age of 20 are the most likely to have car accidents caused by distraction and result in fatalities.

If you have been injured in a Bucks County, Mercer County, or Philadelphia auto accident, contact the personal injury attorneys at Saile & Saile LLP for a free consultation.