A driver’s age certainly plays a role when it comes to their odds of being involved in an accident. This is especially true when fatal crashes are the issue at hand.
Understanding who causes the most accidents can be beneficial to other drivers. For instance, even if you are in the age group that causes the fewest accidents and you know that you are always a safe driver, you could still be injured as a result of someone else’s negligence and knowing the influences that may have impacted a driver’s negligent behavior can influence your response to a wreck.
The greatest total
There are a few different ways to look at the statistics related to this issue. When considering the greatest total of fatal accidents, the distinction of causing the most wrecks overall belongs to the age group from 25 to 34. According to a study from the National Safety Council, these drivers are involved in around 15,000 fatal accidents annually. The next age group is from 35 to 44, as these drivers are involved in roughly 11,600 fatal crashes each year.
The greatest fatal accident rate
That being said, drivers from 16 to 19 have the distinction of experiencing the greatest fatal accident rate. Their contribution to the overall total of crashes caused annually accounts for “only” 4,200 fatal crashes, but this age group also is comprised of the smallest number of drivers. This means that their crash rate is disproportionate to the size of their age group. If there were as many drivers from 16 to 19 years old as there are from 25 to 34 years old, teenagers would have the highest fatal accident totals by far.
These statistics clearly illustrate the value of experience. Drivers tend to be involved in fewer fatal accidents as they grow older, and they benefit from a lower fatal accident rate. With that said, motorists of all ages cause crashes every day. If you’ve been injured as a result of another’s negligent choices, you can seek personalized legal guidance at any time to better understand how to hold them accountable – whomever they happen to be.