Four 18-year-olds were killed in West Hempstead, N.Y., on October 2012 when their car went out of control on a curve on the Southern State Parkway and crashed into a tree, according to an Associated Press report.  The 17-year-old driver, who had a learner’s permit, survived the crash, which split the vehicle in half.

New York Restrictions for Young Drivers

The tragedy illustrates why New York imposes restrictions on young, inexperienced drivers. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, if you are under age 18 and have a learner’s permit, you may drive in that area of New York only  between the hours of 5 AM and 9 PM and only under the direct supervision of:

• Your parent, guardian, or a person “in loco parentis,” or
• A person authorized in writing by your parent, guardian or person “in loco parentis” to be your supervising driver, or
• A driver education teacher or a driving school instructor.

Also:

• The person who supervises your driving must be at least age 21 and have a license valid for the vehicle you are driving.
• The only passenger allowed in the front seat is your supervising driver.
• You may have no more than one passenger under age 21 unless the passengers are members of your immediate family.
• You can have more than one passenger under age 21 if your supervising driver is your licensed parent, guardian, person “in loco parentis,” driver education teacher or driving school instructor.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than drivers over the age of 20. Male teenage drivers are two times more likely than female teenage drivers to be involved in a fatal crash. If those numbers are not daunting enough, the presence of teenage passengers in a vehicle with a teen driver increases the risk of being in a crash even more.

Injured in a Car Accident? Talk to a New York/New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been injured in a New York / New Jersey car accident or have lost a loved one to a New York car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the NY / NJ car accident attorneys at Ginarte Gonzalez Winograd L.L.P., to find out what legal options you may have.

With seven offices conveniently located in the New York / New Jersey metropolitan area, we have an office near you. Contact the firm today by calling 888-446-2783 for your free consultation or fill out our online contact form.