Two 16-year-old boys died in a one-car accident Jan. 8 near Grandview, Wash., that left the 17-year-old driver on life support.
Sadly, the tragedy fits a common profile for teen crashes. The car was speeding after dark when the driver lost control on a curve, went off the road, and hit some trees. One passenger was thrown from the car, and it’s unclear whether he was wearing a seat belt.
Compare that with the common profile for serious crashes involving 16- and 17-year-olds, as noted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:
- One-car accident
- Two-lane road
- Teenage passengers
- Caused by speed or inattention
- Hitting a pole or tree
- At night
- Smaller cars, older cars
- Usually no alcohol involved.
The more of those factors you can avoid, the better your chances.
In the Grandview crash, deputies found no evidence of drugs or alcohol. Speeding was a factor, but they can’t rule out a mechanical problem. Read the Tri-City Herald article.
