Teens responsible for many fatal car crashes in New Jersey

The South Jersey Traffic Alliance just released a new report this month that showed teen drivers being responsible for a larger portion of fatal car accidents this year than last year. For many New Jersey residents this doesn’t come as a surprise, but that doesn’t negate the sadness that families experience when a fatal car crash involves a loved one.

Teens were responsible for an estimated 36 percent of fatal car accidents in South New Jersey during the first six months of 2012. That is more than double the typical proportion, which is often closer to 12 or 15 percent.

Safety advocates and parents of teen drivers are expressing concern to the broader community and urging residents to increase their focus on teen driver safety. “[A] car is a dangerous weapon, like a gun, will kill you in a split second,” said one New Jersey man whose teenage daughter was killed in a car accident earlier this year.

Many in New Jersey are worried about the impact of cellphone and distracted driving on these statistics. Teens use cellphone while behind the wheel at a higher rate than other drivers. Use of handheld devices can be as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol, a reality that caused state lawmakers to pass a law classifying handheld cellphone use as reckless driving behavior.

For more information about New Jersey car accident law and what kinds of rights injured parties have in the event of an accident, take a look at our New Jersey motor vehicle accident law firm website.

Source: NBC News 40, “Teen drivers responsible for large portion of SJ fatal crashes,” Rick Ritter, July 18, 2012.