With the recent Memorial Day holiday, Indiana and Illinois have entered into what has become known among safety agencies and accident victim advocates as the “100 Deadliest Days for Teen Drivers.” According to AAA, statistics warn that over seven (7) people will die each day during the time period between Memorial Day and Labor Day in teen driving-related motor vehicle accidents. During the summer months (June, July, August), the number of fatal motor vehicle accidents involving teen deaths jumps a shocking 21%.
New teen drivers (16 – 17 years old) are especially vulnerable to being involved in a deadly crash, with AAA research confirming these drivers are 300% more likely to be in a fatal accident than an adult.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) reports that motor vehicle accidents are the 2nd leading cause of death for teenagers in this country (surpassed only by other forms of accident injuries, according to the National Institutes of Health).
To this end, a new 2021 public awareness campaign entitled “The Safest Summer Ever” is being organized by the National Road Safety Foundation and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD).
From SADD President Rick Birt:
“We’re mobilizing the tens of thousands of student safety advocates in the SADD community at the middle school, high school and college level to help spread important safe driving messages to peers, friends and family. We hope to make this the safest summer ever, not only for teens on the road, but for all drivers and passengers.”
Why are Teen Drivers Facing High Risk of Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents this Summer?
There are three (3) reasons that are considered to be the primary reasons for teenagers to be facing these “100 Deadliest Days,” according to AAA:
1] Teen Driver Distraction
Teenagers behind the wheel have been distracted at the time of a fatal motor vehicle accident in 60% of fatal teen car crashes. AAA reports that this distraction statistic is four times higher than what is reported in official estimates based on police report data.
What is distracting our teen drivers? Researchers report that the two top distractions for teen drivers are: (1) chatting with other people in the car with them; and (2) using their smartphone.
2] Teen Driver Not Using Seat Belt
Research reveals that 60% of teen drivers who die in a motor vehicle accident had chosen not to wear their safety belt, and were unbuckled at the time of impact.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) reports that almost half (at least 48%) of teen drivers and their teen passengers (16 – 19 years) were discovered to be unbuckled at the time of the deadly accident, and that CDC research shows that wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of dying in a motor vehicle accident by almost half.
3] Teen Driver Speeding
Teen drivers who perish in a fatal motor vehicle accident were exceeding the designated speed limit in 30% of teen driver fatal crashes.
4] Other Factor in Fatal Teen Accidents
According to the CDC, other causes of deadly teen-related motor vehicle accidents include:
- Driver inexperience;
- Nighttime driving;
- Drowsy driving; and
- Impaired driving.
State Laws Designed to Protect Teen Drivers from Fatal Accidents
Both Indiana and Illinois have state laws on the books that are designed to protect teenagers behind the wheel from fatal motor vehicle accidents. The failure of the teen driver to obey these laws can become a factor in establishing legal liability in the aftermath of a tragic crash. These include:
1] Drunk Driving Laws
The ability of teenagers to drink alcoholic beverages in Indiana and Illinois has been regulated with state legal drinking age laws.
Illinois
It is illegal for anyone to drink alcoholic beverages under the age of 21 years in the State of Illinois. It is also illegal to serve alcoholic beverages to those under the age of 21. See, 235 ILCS 5/6-16.
Indiana
It is illegal for anyone to drink alcoholic beverages under the age of 21 years in the State of Indiana. It is also illegal to serve alcoholic beverages to those under the age of 21 in the Hoosier State. See, Indiana Code §7.1-5-7-1 and Indiana Code §7.1-5-7-8.
2] Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL)
Licenses to drive in the states of Indiana and Illinois are both governed by state graduated driver licensing (GDL) systems. GDL laws have been passed in every state in the country, in various forms, providing teen drivers with longer time frames to gain experience and confidence in operating motor vehicles. The CDC reports that GDL statutes have reduced approximately 21% in the number of fatal car crashes involving 16-year-olds.
Illinois
There are three stages for the teen driver under the Illinois GDL system: (1) learner; (2) intermediate; and (3) unrestricted. In the learner stage, the teen must be at least 15 years old, and must have at least 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of which must be at night. In the intermediate stage, the teen driver must be at least 16 years old; cannot drive after 10 p.m. on Sunday – Thursday or after 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, through 6 a.m. in the morning on every day; and for the first 12 months can have no more than 1 passenger younger than 20 years old in the vehicle while driving. In the unrestricted stage, the teen driver until age 18 years has no nighttime restrictions and passenger restrictions may be lifted after 12 months or until age 18 years (minimum age, 17).
Indiana
There are three stages for the teen driver under the Indiana GDL system, as well. They are also: (1) learner; (2) intermediate; and (3) unrestricted. In the learner stage, the teen must be at least 15 years old, and must have at least 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of which must be at night. In the intermediate stage, the teen driver must be at least 16 years, 3 months old and for the first six months, cannot drive during the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.; afterwards, cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Sunday – Friday and 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. There are no passengers allowed for the intermediate stage in Indiana. In the unrestricted stage, the teen driver until age 18 years and 6 months or until age 21, whichever occurs first (minimum age 18), has no nighttime restrictions and passenger restrictions may be lifted after 12 months or until age 18 years (minimum age, 17). Passengers may be allowed after 6 months or until the age of 21 years, whichever occurs first, with minimum age of 16, 9 months or age 17, 3 months without driver education.
For more details on the GDL Systems of Illinois, Indiana, and other states see the IIHS Table of Graduated Licensing Laws.
Fatal Crash Involving Teen Driver in Indiana or Illinois
One particularly heart-wrenching aspect of fatal teen driver crashes is the accident is almost always preventable. If proper precautions had been taken, then the fatal accident may not have happened.
These tragedies must be carefully investigated to determine the factors that contributed to the incident and its consequences. Of particular importance is the discovery of any third parties who may have legal responsibility for the accident for various reasons, such as serving alcoholic beverages to minors or allowing several teen passengers to drive off with a teen driver behind the wheel in violation of the state laws of Indiana or Illinois.
For more, read:
- Teen Driver Accidents: Causes and Consequences;
- Teen Drivers Legally Licensed and Still Dying Behind the Wheel; Car Crashes Number One Cause of Teen Deaths (14 & 18 Year Olds);
- Teen Drivers and Fatal Car Accidents: High Risk in Indiana and Illinois;
- Fatal Teen Driver Accidents: New Teen Driving Safety Technology.
If you or a loved one has suffered severe injuries or fatalities in a motor vehicle accident involving a teen driver, then you may have legal claims for justice under the state laws of Indiana or Illinois. Please be careful out there!
