We all know all too well the thrill of newfound independence after getting a driver’s license – something unmatched for many young adults. However, this great life milestone introduces the harsh realities and dangers of the road. The statistics show that young drivers are among the most vulnerable, too.

Reasons Why Young Drivers Face Higher Accident Risks

Distractions: It is estimated that 25% of all fatal car accidents are caused by distractions with younger drivers being the biggest culprits. Teens are more prone to being on their phones, scrolling or texting and are 5 to 6 times more likely to crash than adults.

Speeding and lack of experience: 79% of single-vehicle crashes involving young drivers are due to high-speed driving. New drivers especially are more likely to make mistakes, overestimating their abilities while taking risks. There is a sense of invincibility, an attitude that may allow young drivers to cross traffic lanes and ignore traffic signs and speed limits. 

Not wearing seatbelts: Teens have the lowest seatbelt usage than any other driving group. Even a minor car crash can cause serious injury or ejection from a vehicle. Road Traffic Management Corporation CEO Makhosini Msibi says, “It is saddening…crash investigation reports in most cases people die on roads because of failure to use safety belts.”

Driving under the influence: That same air of invincibility comes into play when young adults are behind the wheel after drinking, thinking that they can handle anything. Section 65 of the National Road Traffic Act determines that the legal alcohol limit must be less than 0.05g of alcohol per 100ml of blood. For a breathalyser, the alcohol concentration must be less than 0.24mg/100ml of breath. For some people, one alcoholic drink can cause this and can impair judgement and reaction time on the road.

Why choose accidentANGELS?

Road accidents can happen without warning, and for young drivers without a financial safety net or medical aid, the consequences can be overwhelming. That’s where a motor vehicle accident plan from accidentANGELS comes in, offering immediate and guaranteed access to a private hospital after a road accident for just R149pm – as a driver, passenger or pedestrian.

Ensure Your Child’s Safety: A Parent’s Peace of Mind

You can’t always be there as a parent, but with accidentANGELS, you can protect your child on the road. For just R99pm, you can add your child as a dependant on your membership or sign them up on their own plan for just R149pm and rest easy knowing they will go to a private hospital after a road accident.

Encouraging your teen or young adult to join accidentANGELS is a small step that can make a huge difference. Check out our plans here.