Oklahoma Car Accident Injury Law Library TOPIC: Teens and Auto Accidents

Teenagers are not generally considered the safest drivers on the road, but in the state of Oklahoma, teenagers are only involved in 14 percent of all reported car accidents. Teenagers may become more easily distracted than adult drivers, but alcohol and drugs are not the major contributors you might assume.

In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), less than a quarter of accidents caused by teens involved alcohol or another intoxicant. The largest contributing factor to auto accidents involving teenagers is excessive speed. According to NHTSA, speeding is a factor in over 33 percent of these accidents.

Oklahoma Teen Driving Laws

To help combat accidents caused by teens, the state of Oklahoma passed a graduated licensing law for teens in May 1999. This law requires:

• Teen drivers between 15 and 16 to be accompanied by an adult
• A learners permit to be held for six months before a license is granted

An intermediate license is granted to teens over the age of 16 who have:

• Completed 50 hours of on the road drive time
• Completed at least 10 hours of night-time driving
• Had no traffic violations

An unrestricted license can be granted to teens who have:

• Held an intermediate license for one year, or completed drivers education
• Have zero driving violations on their record

Even with these laws, accidents involving teens still regularly occur. Teenagers are 25 percent more likely to die in traffic accidents and, with developing bodies, more likely to sustain serious personal injury when involved in an accident. Representing injured teens and adults, the car accident attorneys at Self & Associates can help you and your family recover after any type of accident.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in the state of Oklahoma, please contact the experienced auto accident attorneys at Self & Associates to schedule a free consultation today.