SC Rated Poorly for Failing to Prevent Teen Car Accidents

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released a new report, and South Carolina didn't fare well this time around. It seems that deadly Charleston car accidents among teens could be reduced by nearly half, if the state adopted policies that others have. South Carolina was Ranked the 10^th Worst State for Teen Driver Policies IIHS is continually researching methods to make America's roadways safer, and analyzing policies as they stand today. As part of these efforts, the agency determined five policies that states should adopt, to reduce the number of fatal collisions involving teens. Throughout the America, only ten states could cut their teen fatalities by about half if they alter legislation. They are as follows:

1. South Dakota -63%
2. North Dakota -56%
3. Iowa -55%
4. Montana -53%
5. Arkansas -50%
6. Idaho -49%
7. Missouri -48%
8. New Mexico -47%
9. Kansas -46%
10. South Carolina -45%

Four Changes South Carolina Should Make Today Because each state sets its own graduated driver licensing (GDL) program, the safety for teen drivers varies widely between them. According to IIHS, South Carolina sets an example by not allowing intermediate drivers on the road after 6pm. However, the agency's Crash Reduction Calculator indicates that South Carolina could reduce fatal car accidents by 45%, and collision claims by 22%, if the state took action on the four other major safety components by:

1. Raising the legal age for a learner's permit to age 16 could reduce fatal collisions by 13%, and the number of collision claims by 3%.
2. Increasing the number of supervised practice hours required to 70 may reduce fatal collisions by 2% and collision claims by 8%.
3. Raising the legal age for a license to 17 could reduce fatal collisions by 7%, and the number of collision claims by 19%.
4. Making it unlawful for intermediate drivers to transport passengers while unsupervised could reduce fatal collisions by 21%, and the number of collision claims by 5%.

Keep Your Teen Driver Safe Of course, you don't need to wait for the state to change the laws in order to keep your child safer behind the wheel. You can choose to implement IIHS's recommendations at home, and create other household rules for safe driving, such as a ban on things like cell-phones or food, which can lead to distracted driving. Consider creating a contract, like the ones TeenDriverSource.org has posted.

Charleston Car Accident Attorney

Unfortunately, sometimes no matter what rules and values we instill, our children can still be hurt by the actions of others. If your child was hurt in a collision, and he or she was not at fault, you may be entitled to compensation. A court can award funds to help cover medical bills, damage, losses, and even time you had to take off work to care for your son or daughter. If you'd like to have one of our lawyers evaluate your case, please contact us using our online form, or speak directly with an attorney now, by calling 1(800)610-2546.