Inexperience and youthful high spirits can be a dangerous combination behind the wheel. Teenage drivers who have not had their licenses for very long are more likely than their adult counterparts to get involved in a motor vehicle accident. The risk may be greater when they have peers in the cars as passengers.
Over the weekend, a car containing five teenagers crashed in a high-speed accident in Tamarac, Florida. Two of them did not survive, and the three others are in serious condition at the hospital.
Range of ages
The occupants of the vehicle included three 14-year-olds, one 16-year-old girl and a 17-year-old girl who was driving. The 16-year-old girl remains hospitalized, along with two 14-year-old boys. They required transportation to a local medical center via ambulance. On Sunday night, all three were still in critical condition. Another 14-year-old died at the hospital, as did the driver.
Split in two
The crash occurred late Saturday night on North State Road 7. Responders to the scene found the vehicle split in two after it crashed into a pole. The vehicle reportedly slid sideways into the pole when the driver overcorrected her steering during an aggressive lane change. She was allegedly traveling at a high rate of speed. Authorities made no mention of impairment to the press. It is not clear what the group of teens was doing out on the road at that time of night.
Experience behind the wheel within reasonable limits is necessary for teens to improve their driving skills. However, carrying peers in the vehicle can be detrimental and potentially dangerous to teen drivers and their passengers, as well as others who share the road with them.
