According to statistics, teen drivers are actually three times more at risk of getting into an accident than people over 20 years of age.
That makes it particularly important to go over driving safety with your teenage drivers. Sit down with the young drivers in your household and go over the following rules of the road:
Offer amnesty if they’ve been drinking
Even if you don’t believe your child has ever had a drink, prepare for the event like it’s already happened. Let your child know that you’re offering a ride home from any party where he or she might have had a drink — without yelling — so that he or she won’t ever be tempted to get behind the wheel after having a drink.
Enforce a “no cellphone” policy
Let your child know that there is an absolute zero-tolerance policy for cellphone use behind the wheel. They aren’t to take — or make — a text or a call while driving, even from you. There’s nothing that can’t wait until they’ve made their next stop.
Be strict about speeding
Invest in a GPS that will monitor speeding and let your teenager know that you’ll be checking it. Impulsiveness and the joy of the open road can be a deadly combination for young people. If they know you’re going to be watching, they’ll be more inclined to keep their speed down.
Limit passengers
Cellphones aren’t the only distractions teenagers face. Their friends can also carry on, talk, tease or generally create a distraction in the car — especially when they’re in a group and feeling exuberant. The risk of an accident quadruples when a teen has three or more passengers, so limit who your teen is allowed to have in the car.
Naturally, teens aren’t the only at-risk drivers out there. Your teen could do everything right and still end up in a car accident. If he or she does, it’s wise to explore all your legal rights for compensation — especially if there are any serious injuries.
Source: Safety Resource Center, “Who Causes More Car Accidents? The Data May Surprise You,” Dana Henry, accessed Feb. 07, 2018
