On behalf of Smiley & Smiley, LLP posted in Car Accidents on Friday, July 18, 2014.
We frequently write about the hazards associated with New York City's crosswalk culture. Each year, far too many New Yorkers and tourists are killed or injured while driving, biking or walking on NYC streets. The streets of the city are so dangerous that one of the biggest initiatives that the de Blasio administration is undertaking involves minimizing the number of individuals who are killed each year in traffic accidents within city limits.
New York City's streets are unquestionably hazardous. As a result, it is surprising that New York has been rated the best state for teen motorists. Although the city's streets are dangerous, the state's teen driver fatality statistics are actually hopeful when compared to teen driver fatality statistics tied to other states.
A recent report entitled, "2014's Best and Worst States for Teen Drivers," ranked each state according to several criteria. Specifically, the researchers compared factors including the number of teen motorist fatalities per number of licensed teen drivers, the median cost of crash repairs and the percentage of each state's teens that are licensed to drive.
Novice teen motorists are more likely to perish as a result of car accidents during the first few years that they are licensed than at any other time in their driving careers. As a result, it is welcome news that out of all 50 states, New York is ultimately the best state for teen drivers. However, it is important to remember that New York City streets seem to be uniquely hazardous. Teens and parents should approach driving on NYC streets accordingly.
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