Teen drivers and auto accidents
According to the Sun Sentinel and Associated Press, teens with their own cars or free use of one are much more likely to get in crashes. Accidents are much less common among teens whose parents set clear driving safety rules.
The findings are in two recent studies by researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and funded by State Farm Insurance Co.
Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, killing more than 5,000 each year. Getting a driver's license and car are often viewed as rite of passage for U.S. teens, and many parents underestimate the risks.