WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE DANGERS ON THE ROAD
Parents want to do everything we can to keep their kids safe. But sometimes, despite best efforts, accidents unfortunately happen. When these accidents involve teenagers behind the wheel of a car, the results can be devastating. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car crashes are the leading cause of teenage deaths in the United States.
Many factors contribute to this statistic, but five of the most common reasons for teenage driver accidents are lack of driving experience, distractions, speeding, the influence of passengers, and impaired driving.
LACK OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE
One of the main reasons that teenage drivers get into accidents is because they lack experience behind the wheel. They haven’t had the time to develop the skills and judgment necessary to deal with different driving situations.
To help offset this, parents can ensure their teen drivers get plenty of practice time behind the wheel in various conditions. They should also make sure their teens are taking defensive driving courses and are familiar with the rules of the road.
DISTRACTIONS
Distractions are another major factor in teenage driver accidents. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 58% of adolescent driver crashes involve some form of distraction.
The most common distractions for teenage drivers are cell phones, other passengers in the car, and music. To help eliminate this issue, parents should ensure their teen drivers put away their phones and focus on the road. They should also limit the number of passengers in the car and encourage their teens to keep music volumes low while driving.
SPEEDING
Speeding also plays a role in accidents involving youthful drivers. Parents can help reduce this by setting a good example for their teen drivers and obeying the speed limit. They should also talk to their teens about the dangers of speeding and stress the importance of following the posted speed limits. If a teenager receives a speeding ticket or is the subject of a neighbor complaint related to their driving, it would be wise for the parents to approach the matter with the utmost seriousness.
THE INFLUENCE OF PASSENGERS
The influence of passengers can be a significant factor in teenage driver accidents. Passengers can be a distraction to teenage drivers and a source of peer pressure. Parents should ensure their teen drivers are only driving with well-behaved passengers and those unlikely to cause a problem.
They should also talk to their teens about the importance of not succumbing to peer pressure and making good decisions when behind the wheel.
IMPAIRED DRIVING
Finally, impaired driving is a significant factor in teenage driver accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 24% of all teen driver fatality crashes involve an alcohol-impaired driver.
Parents can help mitigate this issue by talking to their teen drivers about the dangers of driving after consuming alcohol, cannabis products, or any mind-altering substance. They should also make sure their teens know not to get in the car with a driver who has been drinking.
WHY ARE THESE FACTS IMPORTANT?
It’s essential to be aware of teenage drivers’ dangers on the road. By understanding the most common causes of teenage driver accidents, we can take steps to help reduce the risk of an accident.
If you have a teenage driver in your family, ensure they are getting plenty of practice behind the wheel and taking defensive driving courses. Make sure they are not driving with distractions, such as cell phones, unruly passengers, or loud music. And talk to them about the dangers of speeding and impaired driving. By taking these steps, we can help make our roads safer for everyone.
REPRESENTING FAMILIES DURING TOUGH TIMES
At Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook, we understand the importance of keeping your family safe. We have extensive experience representing families affected by teenage driver accidents. If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, we can help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.