As a bustling coastal city, Virginia Beach sees its share of traffic congestion and accidents. While crashes affect drivers of all ages, the statistics paint a particularly troubling picture when it comes to new and inexperienced drivers, typically those in the 16- to 19-year-old age bracket. For a personal injury law firm, understanding this elevated risk is critical to representing victims effectively.
Data from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and related safety organizations consistently highlight the disproportionate involvement of young drivers in traffic incidents. This article examines some key statistics and risk factors that make new drivers in Virginia Beach and across the Commonwealth a significant concern on our roadways.
The Disproportionate Risk: Young Drivers Statewide
While specific, granular statistics solely for “new drivers” in Virginia Beach are not always immediately public, state and national data for the broader teen driver demographic (ages 16-19 or 15-20) serve as a powerful proxy for the risks faced by inexperienced drivers.
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- Over-Involvement in Crashes: Across Virginia, 16- to 19-year-olds are significantly over-represented in crash statistics.
- They constitute a relatively small percentage of licensed drivers. Still, they are involved in a much larger share of both total and fatal crashes.
- Across the U.S., on a per-mile basis, drivers aged 16–19 are involved in fatal crashes at nearly three times the rate of motorists 20 and older.
- The Highest Risk is at the Start: Inexperience is the single most defining factor. In the early months after getting a license, the likelihood of a crash is especially high.
- According to some studies, 16-year-olds are involved in crashes per mile at a rate roughly 50% higher than that of 18–19-year-old drivers.
- Virginia Fatalities: Fatal crashes involving teen drivers (aged 15-19) remain a significant concern. For instance, in a recent reported year for Virginia, there were thousands of crashes involving teen drivers, resulting in dozens of teen driver fatalities and thousands of teen driver injuries.
- Over-Involvement in Crashes: Across Virginia, 16- to 19-year-olds are significantly over-represented in crash statistics.
The Local Context: Virginia Beach’s Accident Landscape
Virginia Beach, with its high population density, tourist traffic, and complex roadway systems, is one of the state’s most challenging driving environments.
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- High Volume of Accidents: Virginia Beach consistently reports one of the highest volumes of car accidents in the Commonwealth. For example, recent yearly data shows Virginia Beach with thousands of total crashes, hundreds of injuries, and significant fatalities. This high-crash environment magnifies the risks for inexperienced drivers.
- Complex Conditions: New drivers face elevated risks navigating Virginia Beach’s unique traffic conditions, including:
- Seasonal Tourists: Heavy summer traffic from tourists unfamiliar with the area.
- Major Thoroughfares: High-speed travel on routes like I-264.
- Urban Challenges: High-density intersections and distracted driving risks are common in metropolitan areas.
Critical Factors in New Driver Accidents
Accidents involving new drivers are often attributable to specific, preventable factors stemming from their inexperience. Statistics from state and national data illustrate that the following are some of most common causative factors in fatal crashes involving teen drivers:
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- Speeding
- Running Off of the Road
- Alcohol-Related Incidents
- Inattention/Distractions
The Deadly Trio of Risk
Speeding and Recklessness: New drivers, particularly males, are disproportionately involved in speeding and run-off-the-road crashes. For inexperienced drivers, driving too fast severely undermines their already limited capacity to respond to sudden shifts in traffic or road conditions.
Distracted Driving: Inattention and distracted driving—often involving cell phones or peer passengers—are major contributors to teen crashes. A study concluded that distraction played a role in nearly 6 in 10 moderate-to-severe crashes involving teens — about four times higher than what official police reports estimate.
Passengers: The presence of teen passengers dramatically increases crash risk for unsupervised new drivers. The risk rises with each additional passenger.
The Seatbelt Factor
Tragically, not wearing a seat belt is a significant factor in fatalities. State data shows that a large percentage of teen drivers and passengers killed in crashes were unrestrained at the time of the incident. This points to a consistent failure to follow basic safety measures that could prevent serious injury or death.
Contact a Virginia Beach Personal Injury Lawyer
By working with an accident injury attorney in Virginia Beach, you gain access to skilled legal guidance and strong representation.
From negotiating with insurers to advocating for you in court, our experienced injury attorneys ensure you have the best chance of receiving fair compensation for your injuries.
We understand the nuances of Virginia personal injury law. We provide valuable insight into how to approach your case effectively, whether through negotiation with insurance companies or in court.
The injury law attorneys at Preston, Wilson & Crandley, PLC advocate on your behalf, ensuring that you are treated fairly and that your case is presented effectively.
Contact Preston, Wilson & Crandley, PLC at (757) 486-2700.
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