Slight Drop in Texas Teen Driver Fatalities Last Year

Texas reported a slight drop in the number of teen drivers killed in accidents during the first half of 2012, compared to the same period of time the previous year. During the first 6 months of 2012, there were 14 car accident fatalities involving teenage motorists in the state of Texas. That was a drop from 17 fatalities during the first 6 months of 2011.

However, nationally, there was a significant increase in teen driver fatalities across the country. The fatality rates involving drivers who were 16 years and 17 years old across the country, are once again on the increase, but the Governors Highway Safety Association reports that the numbers are still much lower than they were a decade ago.

During the first 6 months of 2012, there were 240 teen driver fatalities involving teenage drivers aged 16 and 17 years of age across the country. That is an increase from 212 teen driver fatalities of this age group during the same time in 2011. However, about 10 years ago, it was fairly routine to find teen fatality numbers cross 400 during the first half of the year alone. This means that there has been a lot of progress made in reducing the number of fatalities involving teenage drivers.

However, Houston car accident lawyers believe that much more needs to be done, and can be done. Texas, in particular, could do more to save more teenage lives in accidents every year. For one thing, the state’s teenage drivers should make it mandatory for a person to get a minimum learner’s permit only at the age of 16. The laws should also include stronger passenger restrictions and restrictions on night time driving for teenage drivers.