Jacksonville Injury Attorney Blog
In the North Florida counties of Clay, Duval and St. Johns, the number 16 to 21 year-olds killed in car accidents decreased 47% from 2007 to 2010, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Seat belt usage was cited as the reason for the decrease in auto accident deaths. Drivers in the 16 to 21 age goup are the most likely to be involved in car accidents. Statistics also show that they are also the least likely to wear seatbelts. The effectiveness of seatbelts is highlighted by the fact that 27 of the 35 young drivers killed in 2010 were not wearing seatbelts.
Distracted driving, such as texting or talking on the phone, plays a large role in car accidents among the 16 to 21 year-old age group. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 16 percent of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal vehicle crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving. Drivers using hand-held devices are four times more likely to have accidents.
Written by Elizabeth Allen
If you have been involved in a car accident in the greater Jacksonville area, contact our Jacksonville accident lawyers for a free consultation.