New York City Car Accident Attorney David Resnick Calls Attention to the Problem of Speeding by Teenage Drivers
New York, N.Y. (PRWEB) August 08, 2013 -- Speeding. Most drivers do it at some point. But teen drivers do it more often, and combined with inexperience, the consequences include serious crashes that cause injuries and sometimes deaths. Car accident lawyer David Resnick today called on parents to make sure their teens develop safe driving skills and refrain from speeding on New York City’s busy streets.
“Statistics show that teen drivers speed more than all other age groups, and we know speeding is a major contributor to accidents,” said Resnick, the founder of David Resnick & Associates, P.C., a New York City firm that assists car crash victims. “At our firm, we have seen the dangers of speeding in the many personal injury and wrongful death claims we have resolved for accident victims and their families in New York City. It’s time to do something to prevent this recklessness and the accidents it causes.”
Resnick cited a new study released in late June by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) that reported speeding as the main cause of a third of fatal crashes involving teen drivers. In 2011, speeding was a contributing factor in 33 percent of fatal crashes involving teen drivers, up from 30 percent in 2000. By comparison, 19 percent of fatal crashes involving drivers ages 26 to 49 involved speeding.
Between 2000 and 2011, 19,447 fatal crashes involving teen drivers were related to speeding. Motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death among males and females ages 13 to 19, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
“Speed kills. The newest, most inexperienced drivers speed more. The statistics prove it,” Resnick said. “We need to figure out how to reverse this trend.”
The report, “Speeding-Related Fatal Crashes Among Teen Drivers and Opportunities for Reducing the Risks,” states the fatal crash rate per mile driven for 16- to 19-year-olds is nearly three times the rate for drivers age 20 and over. And the risk is highest at ages 16 to 17, when the fatal crash rate per mile driven is nearly twice as high as it is for 18- to 19-year-olds.
In addition, speeding is more prevalent among males, at night, in the presence of other teens. This leads to single-vehicle and run-off-the-road crashes, the report states.
“Parents must speak to their children and be aware of their driving habits,” Resnick said. “It’s summer, and many teens are taking driver’s education classes. Parents need to reinforce what their children learn in class and make sure teen drivers develop safe driving habits from the start.”
The GHSA study reported that having other passengers in the car, particularly other teens, compounds the problem, according to a press release announcing the study’s results. Half of fatal crashes involving 16-year-old drivers with three or more passengers are speeding-related. The report offered graduated driver licensing, where new drivers have limits on passengers and/or the time of day they can drive until they gain more experience, as a solution. It also highlighted the enforcement of speed limits and advised authorities to install speed cameras.
“Graduated licenses and speed cameras are great ideas to help reduce the number of teens who speed,” Resnick said. “But we must also ensure that teenagers are ready to be behind the wheel and have all the education, information and experience they need. Parents and guardians need to make sure that happens.”
Resnick advised victims of car accidents caused by negligent teen drivers to seek legal counsel from a qualified attorney such as those at his firm.
“At David Resnick & Associates, we have the experience to investigate your case and guide you through the legal process to hold a negligent driver accountable,” he said.
About David Resnick & Associates, P.C.
David Resnick & Associates, P.C., provides professional and compassionate legal assistance to victims of injury and negligence. Founded in 1998, the firm is experienced at handling many types of injury and negligence cases in New York City, including motor vehicle accidents, hit-and-run accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian injuries, trips and falls, construction accidents, premises liability and other kinds of personal injury and wrongful death claims. David Resnick & Associates serves clients in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx and all of New York City. The firm’s office is located at 450 7th Avenue, Suite 409, New York, NY 10123. Mr. Resnick can be reached at (212) 279-2000 or through his website’s online contact form.
David Resnick, David Resnick & Associates, P.C., http://www.injuryclaimnyclaw.com/, (212) 279-2000, [email protected]
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