Crashes Caused by Unlicensed Drivers
Motor vehicle laws are in place to reduce dangers for both drivers and pedestrians. Among the most well-known legal requirements is to have a valid driver’s license to operate a vehicle. Despite this requirement, some people continue to drive with suspended or revoked licenses — some never having a valid driver’s license to begin with — increasing the risk of accidents for everyone on the road.
While it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly how many people drive without a license, the dangers linked to this behavior are significant. Some states have a higher prevalence of fatal traffic accidents involving unlicensed drivers. Texas leads the way at 18.3%. Several states — California, Hawaii, North Carolina, and Louisiana — are close behind, at around 16%. New Hampshire has the lowest rate, at just 5.5%.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2021 Traffic Safety Facts report, unlicensed drivers were involved in nearly 11,000 fatal crashes. Among those drivers:
- 8% had prior license suspensions or revocations.
- 2% had been involved in previous collisions.
- 9% had prior speeding convictions.
These findings highlight two important points:
- Unlicensed drivers are involved in 18.4% of all fatal motor vehicle accidents.
- Many unlicensed drivers have a history of repeated traffic offenses.
A study looked at fatal crash data between 1987 and 2009. It showed that nearly half of fatal crashes involved unlicensed drivers between the ages of 20 and 29. Men were more likely than women to drive while unlicensed. In 2021, male drivers accounted for 59% of accidents, while females were responsible for 41%. In fatal accidents involving unlicensed drivers, alcohol use was often a factor.
Time of day can also play a role. It’s common for unlicensed drivers to be on the road early in the morning or late at night. A possible reason for this is that motorists may expect less police presence at those times.
In 2022, a study showed that more than 52% of multi-vehicle crashes involved front-end collisions. More than 26% were rear-end crashes. High-speed impacts can cause significant injuries and costly property damage despite advances in crash technology.
Motorcyclists without valid licenses face even greater risks. The number of unlicensed motorcyclists increased from 2019 to 2020. During that timeframe, 38% of fatally injured motorcyclists were riding without a valid license.
Driving without a license affects everyone on the road. States need to take action and create laws that will prevent teens and those with suspended and revoked licenses from driving on roads and causing accidents to innocent victims.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Unlicensed drivers are often very inexperienced. They may not follow traffic laws or know how to drive well, which puts others on the road at risk.
No matter who caused your crash, a Houston car accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC can guide you through the process and help you obtain compensation for your damages. Fill out the online form or call (281) 347-3247 to schedule a consultation.
Source:
usclaims.com/educational-resources/non-licensed-drivers-responsible-for-20-percent-of-all-auto-accidents/#:~:text=California%2C%20North%20Carolina%2C%20Louisiana%2C,police%20presence%20during%20those%20times.
