Many New York car accidents are caused by teen drivers. It has been estimated that approximately 5,000 drivers, ages 16 to 20, are killed in auto accidents every year in the United States.

Researchers have found that teens tend to mimic their parents' driving behavior, whether good or bad. A survey was conducted by Froedtert &The Medical College of Wisconsin to help gain a better understanding of the perceptions teens had about their driving habits and that of their parents. Nearly 70 percent of the teens who were interviewed in the study stated that their parents were a main influence on their driving behavior.

A teen following in their parents' footsteps when it comes to driving isn't necessarily a good thing. Parents are not always the best drivers and tend to be distracted by cell phones and they commonly speed, tailgate and eat while driving. These activities can increase the risk of being involved in a car accident in Long Island, New York City or other area in the state.

According to the survey, about half of the teens who said that they knew someone who had been involved in a car accident, admitted that they did not change their driving habits as a result.