SARASOTA- Florida and the rest of the nation saw in increase in the number of teenage deaths in car accidents during the first part of 2011.
The data, released by the Governors Highway Safety Association, suggests that between January and June 2011, the number of deaths among 16 and 17-year-olds rose 11% compared to 2010. The numbers in Florida rose 66%. North Carolina and Texas also saw significant increases. If the trend continued for the second half of 2011, it will mark the end of eight straight years of cumulative declines in deaths for the age group.
"A lot of 16-year-olds and new drivers are very careless, and they are so excited to get their license and they don't care about other people on the road," said Austin Hampson, who will be getting his license in a few weeks.
Hampson, along with his friend, 16-year-old, Brandon Rymanowicz, feel that technology has a lot to do with the numbers increasing.
"I've been in cars with friends texting, and they don't pay attention," said Rymanowicz. "Sometimes they get close to hitting someone and have to slam on the brakes."
Researchers believe another reason why the numbers have increased is because the improving economic conditions have resulted in an increase in teen driving.
