There is a “stereotype” that many people believe: that teens are poor drivers. The truth is that this is more than a stereotype – the research bears it out. While in the past, most people assumed that the higher car accident statistics and risk-taking behavior of teen drivers were related to their inexperience.
While that likely plays a part, more and more research is pointing to the fact that it is the teen’s lack of brain development in various sections of the brain that could be the issue. Keep reading to find out how each part of the brain’s development can affect a teen’s driving ability. If you or your teen has been injured in a car accident in which someone else was at fault, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 to request a free legal consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.
The Lack of Development in the Frontal Lobe
Perhaps the most important function for drivers, the frontal lobe is largely responsible for monitoring motor skills along with emotional maturity. For a younger driver with an undeveloped frontal lobe, there is often increased risk-taking coupled with the inability to perform the complex maneuvers that might be required to keep them safe.
The Lack of Development in the Temporal Lobe
When it comes to language and memory skills, it is all about the temporal lobe. If a person has a temporal lobe that is not fully developed or has become damaged, they might have a harder time learning road rules along with the motor skills to safely drive.
The Lack of Development in the Parietal Lobe
There are two primary functions of this lobe: integrating senses to create perceptions, and representing those perceptions in the world. What does this mean for driving? Almost all visual and audible actions involve the parietal lobe in some way. Lack of development can make it difficult to see and process traffic signals and signs.
The Lack of Development in the Occipital Lobe
The occipital lobe is the center of the visual perception system. It is essential for anyone to drive safely, as an occipital lobe that is damaged or undeveloped can cause serious issues such as blindness or hallucinations.
The Lack of Development in the Cerebellum
The cerebellum, aside from the frontal lobe, has the biggest impact on motor skills that are needed for driving. It also helps to monitor emotions related to pleasure and fear, which can once against affect a person’s likelihood of driving recklessly.
If you have been injured in a car accident in which someone else was at fault, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 to request a free legal consultation.