Georgia Injury Law Blog
There are several areas in which Georgia can improve its auto accident prevention and safety record, but as a new report finds, the state scores very well as far as preventing teen driver car accidents is concerned.
Wallet Hub recently conducted a survey of all 50 states, and compared the driving environments in all based on safety, economic factors and driving laws. Georgia ranked very well on several of the parameters. Overall, the state ranked at number 10 in conducive driving environments for teen drivers. It was ranked at Number 16 for safety and Number 12 for the quality of its driving laws for teenage drivers. It was also placed at Number 35 for economic environment. The state was placed at Number 1 for the quality of its laws against texting and distracted driving, Number 6 on the quality of its roads, and at Number 7 on the quality of its occupant protection laws. Georgia’s Graduated Drivers License programs also received a nod, placing at number 11. Its DUI laws were ranked at number 14 for number of DUIs for every 100,000 drivers. It also placed at number 25 for the quality of its laws against driving under the influence of alcohol.
The data speaks for itself. Georgia’s Graduated Drivers License programs and the effectiveness of the state’s laws against distracted driving make for an ideal environment for teenage drivers in the state. The state also has invested in targeting greater participation by parents in their children’s driving journeys, and many education and awareness programs have been geared towards this aspect. Safety advocates say that parents should model exemplary driving behaviors in front of their teen children. For instance, there is little point barking at your child to wear his or her seatbelt when you do not bother buckling up every time you drive either. Lectures against using cell phones while driving mean nothing if you, as the parent, are unable to avoid checking a text message while you are at the wheel. Parents should not only display excellent driving habits, but also discuss driving lessons with their child. For instance, If you are using a turn signal while driving, explain to your teen why you are doing so. Taking a practical approach like this makes for creating a stronger, safer and more responsible teenage driver who is at a lower risk of car accidents.