Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
Teen Driver Safety
There are more than 217,000 teen drivers in North Carolina, with about 150,000 new teen drivers obtaining their learner permit each year. Teenage drivers have less experience than other drivers and may be involved in accidents. In 2024, there were 12,366 accidents involving teen drivers in North Carolina. Of these, there were 2,327 injuries and 32 fatalities reported. Teen driver safety is a concern for everyone. There are some important things to know about teen driver safety in North Carolina.
Are Teenage Drivers More Dangerous?
There are several reasons why teenage drivers may be considered more dangerous by many people. Teens are less experienced on the road than older drivers. They are new to various road conditions and traffic laws. Teens may feel confident in their driving ability and, therefore, may be more prone to driving while distracted. Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of vehicle accidents across the country. Distracted driving includes texting while driving, but there are other distractions, such as talking with passengers.
Graduated Driver License for Teens
North Carolina law requires teen drivers to participate in a graduated system as part of obtaining their license. The program provides a way to ensure that teens are better prepared when they get behind the wheel. The graduated program is designed specifically for teens between the ages of 15 and 17 years. All new teen drivers are required to complete an NCDOT-approved driver education course. The graduated program has levels that new teen drivers must pass through in order to obtain a full license.
- Teens must have a learner’s permit for a period of at least nine months before moving to the next level. This is a change from previous years, where there was a six-month requirement.
- Teens with a learner’s permit are allowed to drive only with a supervising driver and between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- A limited provisional license, also called a Level 2 license, is available for teens after nine months of a Level 1 permit, as long as they pass the road test and have no tickets.
- Teen drivers are allowed to have only one passenger under the age of 21, except for family members.
- New legislation allows for third-party testing for those going from a Level 1 to a Level 2 license. This provides online access to avoid DMV lines. Testing is available through approved driver training companies.
It is also important to note that insurance rates for teen drivers are higher than for older, more experienced drivers.
Accidents with Teen Drivers
Even with increased training requirements and the graduated driver’s license program, there are still accidents with teen drivers. If you are hurt in an accident with a teen driver, follow the same guidelines as for any vehicle accident. Call the police and exchange information with the other driver. Take photos of the accident scene when it is safe to do so. Seek medical treatment immediately. Discuss the accident with an attorney before you make a statement to the insurance company. Do not accept a check from the insurance company until you consult with a qualified personal injury law firm.
If you or someone you love was hurt in an accident that was not your fault, you may be owed money for your injuries. Call us today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to request a free initial consultation.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/new-drivers/Pages/teen-drivers.aspx
https://dr-www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/new-drivers/Pages/graduated-licensing.aspx
See Our Related Blog Posts: