March 5, 2008

A new study finds that teenagers are more likely than kids of any other age to die if in a car accident.

The study released Monday says a number of factors including young driver's inexperience behind the wheel, riding on a high speed road, and not wearing a seat belt may contribute to young deaths.

The study was conducted by State Farm Insurance and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

It notes that kids ages 12 to 16 are more at risk than children of any other age.

Researchers believe that young, inexperienced teen drivers cart around their friends.

Since those teen drivers are more at risk of getting into an accident than an adult driver, this could be a huge factor in the number of deaths in a car for this age group.

These researchers also say many of these teen-aged deaths are preventable, as easily as wearing a seat belt.

"I think it's very important to start setting that example at a young age" said Charlottesville Police Sergeant Mike Gore, "so as they become teen drivers and older that its just part of their habit when they get into the car is just putting their seat belt on."