Teenage Motorcycle Drivers
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car and motorcycle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States. During 2015, six teens between the ages of 16 and 19 died every day as a result of these accidents. Operating a motorcycle is even more challenging than driving a car, since it requires greater coordination, agility, and concentration.
Causes of Teen Motorcycle Accidents
Most motorcycle crashes involving drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are caused by the teenager, and speeding is generally the primary factor contributing to the collision. Teens are more likely to speed than members of any other age group, and they frequently fail to maintain safe following distances. Other factors that increase a teenager’s risk of causing a collision include:
- Inexperience.
- Lower risk perception.
- Drug or alcohol use.
- Being distracted by passengers.
- Poor nighttime driving ability.
Motorcycle License Requirements
Texas law permits teenagers to obtain a motorcycle license under the following conditions:
- Age requirement. Applicants must be at least 15 years old, and those under 18 years of age must also take a motorcycle driving test.
- Class M license. All individuals wishing to operate a motorcycle must obtain a Class M license. To do so, they must complete a motorcycle safety course and take a vision test.
Motorcycle Safety Precautions
Parental involvement is the best way to prevent teenage motorcycle driving accidents. Parents should enforce the following safety rules:
- Training. All motorcyclists, and particularly teenagers, should take a training course to help them develop good basic driving habits.
- No passengers. Riding with a passenger is far more difficult than riding alone, and passengers are often a distraction to inexperienced drivers.
- No speeding. Speeding is the number one cause of motorcycle accidents.
You Need an Attorney
If you’ve been injured by a teenager who was driving his motorcycle recklessly, you deserve compensation. To discuss your claim, contact the law offices of Steve M. Lee, P.C., by using the form on this page.