Applying for a driver’s license is a rite of passage for many teenagers. However, teen drivers are more than three times more likely than drivers over 20 to get in a fatal crash. Parents and role models can teach young drivers to stay safe on the road and reduce the chances of a car accident.
What Type of Accidents Are Teens Most Likely to Get In?
Teen drivers are more likely than other drivers to get into crashes due to their inexperience, impulsiveness, and social behavior. Some of the most common causes of teenage auto accidents stem from:
- Speeding – Driving too fast is dangerous for any driver. But teens who are just discovering their independence may have a false sense of invincibility and test it by speeding. Unfortunately, their limited driving experience may limit their ability to respond appropriately in an emergency. Speeding also increases the chance that a teen will lose control of their car.
- Distracted driving – Many teens get distracted by texting, talking on the phone, eating and drinking, adjusting media devices, and talking to passengers in their vehicles. Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of teen driving accidents.
- Driving under the influence – Driving under the influence of alcohol and other controlled substances, including marijuana, impairs judgment, limits concentration, and causes delayed reaction times. Teens who drive while impaired are at a high risk of car accidents.
Educating your teen on proven ways to prevent collisions can help protect them on the road. Also, schedule plenty of practice time with your teen. Driver inexperience is a key contributor to teen car accidents, and it may take a while for your teen to develop their driving skills fully.
Safety Tips Your Teen Needs to Start Practicing Now
Whether your teen is newly licensed or has been driving for a while, share these safety tips with them.
- Buckle up – Encourage your teen to wear a seat belt every time they get in a car. Your teen should also make sure that all of their passengers are buckled up before heading out. Seat belts are an important safety feature that saves approximately 15,000 lives every year.
- No driving under the influence – Warn your teen against driving under the influence. Make sure that they understand that drinking alcohol is illegal for anyone under 21 and accounted for nearly one in four teen-driver fatalities in a recent year. Although consuming cannabis is legal in Nevada, it is still illegal to drive while under the influence of cannabis or any controlled substance.
- Eliminate distractions – You should instruct your child not to text or talk on the phone while driving. You could insist they stow their cell phone in a console or glove compartment while driving. If the phone is out of reach, they won’t be tempted to use it. You should also warn against other distractions, including talking to passengers, watching videos, and toying with the sound system.
- No speeding – Make sure your child understands the dangers of speeding. Not only is speeding a traffic offense, but it also increases the likelihood of being involved in a deadly accident. You should also teach your child to reduce their speed to accommodate hazardous driving conditions like inclement weather.
- Limit the number of passengers – One recent study found that the likelihood of a teen driver getting into a fatal accident increased by 44 percent when one juvenile passenger was in the vehicle and doubled when two young passengers were in the car. Consider limiting the number of passengers your child can drive. If your teen just got their license, you should insist that they not carry any passengers for the first several months.
- Nighttime driving – Driving at night is more dangerous than driving during the day due to lowered visibility. Have your child avoid night driving until they get sufficient practice with you.
If your teenager was injured in a car accident caused by another motorist, a Las Vegas car accident lawyer at THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys can help. Call or contact us today for a free, no-risk consultation.
