Take a minute and remember back to when you were a teenager and just starting to drive. Chances are you were excited and maybe even a little scared whenever you got behind the wheel. You probably checked your mirrors before every trip and kept both hands firmly on the wheel, making sure you were always alert and aware of your surroundings.
Over time, however, these habits and the focus on driving safely likely faded once you got more comfortable driving. If this sounds familiar, it’s because it is very common. In fact, a recent survey revealed that many teen drivers get overconfident after a few years on the road, and this overconfidence is putting them at a higher risk for accidents.
The survey showed that more than 50 percent of high school seniors have gotten into an accident or have nearly gotten into an accident. This is considerably higher than the 34 percent of high school sophomores who have been in, or nearly been in, an accident.
In the span of just a few years, teens get comfortable driving and might misjudge their abilities as being better than they really are. This overconfidence leads to bad decisions like using a phone while driving, getting distracted by passengers, driving too fast and driving while drowsy.
In fact, the study shows that the rate of all these dangerous activities steadily increases as teens get older.
Overconfidence can make drivers think they are safe taking risks. However, the fact is that taking risks while driving can put a driver and everyone else on the road in danger. It only take one small mistake to cause a catastrophic accident, and teens are increasingly putting themselves at risk of making mistakes by letting their confidence overtake their common sense.
Unfortunately, overconfident drivers may not learn their lesson until they cause a serious car accident. If you are involved in a crash with one of these drivers, then you should not have to pay the price for their poor judgment. You can speak with an attorney about filing a personal injury claim to cover the cost of the damages you have suffered.