Research suggests that teenagers are postponing getting their licenses for a variety of reasons. As the report indicates, the trend could have an impact on the safety of travel.
West Palm Beach, FL (PRWEB) March 03, 2014
When asked about a news report indicating teenagers are postponing getting their driver’s licenses, West Palm Beach car accident lawyers Charles Cartwright and Adriana Gonzalez said today that the trend could lead to safer roads in Florida.
According to an article in the Orlando Sentinel (“Many Florida teens put the brakes on getting drivers licenses,” January 25), a study conducted by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles found that the number of licensed drivers ages 15-17 fell nearly 15 percent statewide between 1995 and 2013.
“Research suggests that teenagers are postponing getting their licenses for a variety of reasons,” said Charles Cartwright, co-founder of Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. “As the report indicates, the trend could have an impact on the safety of travel. Studies show that teen drivers face a higher risk than drivers who are 20 and older. At Gonzalez & Cartwright, we have seen first-hand the devastating impact of accidents involving teenagers. That’s why we think it’s a positive development to see that they are waiting a few more years before getting their licenses.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16- to 19-year-olds than among any other age group. Teens between 16 and 19 are three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be in a fatal accident, the CDC reports.
Officials from the Highway Loss Data Institute told the Orlando Sentinel that the state’s drop-off in licensed teen drivers could be attributed to more mass-transit options, walkable communities, environmentally friendly transportation, and the high cost of purchasing, registering, insuring and maintaining a vehicle.
The Orlando Sentinel report also said that officials from the Florida Safety Council believe drivers’ education courses and public service messages aimed at novice drivers might play a role in the decision of teen drivers to postpone their driver’s test. Car accidents are a leading cause of death for teenagers across the United States, according to the article.
“The key to preventing car accidents in South Florida is education and enforcement of traffic laws designed to keep us safe,” said Adriana Gonzalez, a partner at Gonzalez & Cartwright. “From a safety standpoint, this report suggesting teen drivers are waiting longer to obtain their driver’s licenses is encouraging news.”
Gonzalez said anyone injured in an accident or who loses a loved one in a car wreck – whether it’s because of a negligent teen driver or a careless older driver – should obtain the advice of legal counsel. An attorney can help protect the rights of the victim and hold the negligent individual accountable, she said.
About Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A.
Charles Cartwright obtained his law degree from the University of Miami in 1993 and has been practicing law in South Florida for over 20 years. Well versed in all steps of the personal injury process, Cartwright is an AV-rated attorney who has received the highest rating from Martindale Hubbell. Adriana Gonzalez obtained her law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Florida, and has been an officer in the Palm Beach County Hispanic Bar Association since 2009. In 2012 and 2013, Super Lawyers named her one of Florida’s Rising Stars for her work in personal injury law.
For more information on what to do if you’ve been injured in an accident, call (800) 608-2965.
Gonzalez & Cartwright is located at 813 Lucerne Ave., Lake Worth FL 33460. Visit http://www.gonzalezcartwright.com/