Teen drivers face unique risks in San Antonio.
Teen Driver Arrested for South-Side Hit-and-Run Accident
According to a KSAT News report, a hit-and-run accident led to the arrest of a teen driver last week.
Police reported the accident happened at around 8 p.m. Friday, November 8th, at the intersection of Southeast Military Drive and Roosevelt Avenue. A pedestrian, a 33-year-old man, was crossing at a crosswalk against a red light when he was struck by a blue Chevy Silverado traveling westbound on Southeast Military. He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and remains in critical condition as of November 10th. The driver did not stop to render aid, but witnesses gave police the license plate information and a vehicle description. Officers tracked down the driver, later identified as 17-year-old Joel Villarreal, and arrested him on a collision involving a serious bodily injury charge.
Did You Know?
Teen drivers are 3x more likely to be involved in a serious injury crash than all other age groups.
Tips for Teen Drivers in San Antonio
Getting your license is an exciting time — you’re finally tasting freedom and adult responsibilities, probably for the first time. Getting your license should be exciting, and you shouldn’t be scared of driving. However, teen drivers across Texas consistently get into fatal accidents more frequently than any other age group, and recent statistics show that the trend isn’t changing.
The consequences of a car accident are sobering, but you don’t have to be another statistic. There are easy tips you can implement in your new driving routine that will keep you and those around you safe.
Tip #1: Buckle Up
Teen drivers are slightly more likely than other age groups to skip the buckle — consequently, they are also more likely to die in accidents.
Seat belts can seem inconvenient or dumb. Maybe your parents didn’t use them, or maybe you’re confident that you won’t be in an accident, so you don’t need them.
Here’s the thing: No one plans on being in an accident — you just never know what’s going to happen. Don’t take the risk that causes thousands of teens to die every year. Buckle up, every ride, every rider.
Tip #2: Slow Down
Especially while you’re still getting used to driving, observe the posted speed limits. It’s also a good idea to reduce your speed for conditions like:
- Construction zones,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- And icy weather.
Remember that school zones require you to reduce speed when active (indicated by flashing signs or posted signs with relevant times).
Tip #3: Get Familiar With Your Car
Trying to find buttons or make adjustments while driving is a major distraction.
Familiarize yourself with your hazard lights, front/back wipers, headlights, turning on the brights, and other essential functions before you go. It may be a good idea to practice using them while driving around a parking lot or neighborhood to get used to using them without having to look.
Tip #4: Say No to Distractions
Distracted driving is a major issue with teen drivers and takes many forms.
Keep your vehicle distraction-free and never engage in these common activities while driving:
- Eating,
- Changing Clothes,
- Doing Makeup,
- Using Your Phone,
- And Changing the Radio.
If you find it hard to stop using your phone, put it in the backseat while you’re driving.
Tip #5: Leave Extra Space
Rear-end crashes are one of the most common types of car accidents across the United States.
Especially when you’re first starting out, you should give yourself 4 to 5 seconds of distance between you and the car in front of you. The faster you’re going, the more space you should give.
Being a safe driver is easier than you think. These tips may be simple, but they are skipped by so many of your peers, and catastrophic accidents result. But you can do everything right and still be hurt in an accident. When that happens, call Shaw.
Teen Driver Injured in an Accident That Wasn’t Your Fault? Call Shaw.
Don’t take the blame for an accident that wasn’t your fault just because you’re young.
If you were hurt in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to compensation for things like:
- Ambulance Costs,
- ER Treatment,
- Medical Bills,
- Trauma/PTSD,
- Pain and Suffering,
- Missed Work,
- And More.
We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.
Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 or use the live chat to talk to a lawyer about your accident. No fees, no obligations, just the expert legal advice you need. We look forward to serving you.
²NHTSA 2021 Young Driver Report