Teens spend time in cars, at the drive-in movie theater, or riding around town without adult supervision. A new study from Safe Kids Worldwide found that 16-year-olds are nearly twice as likely to crash than drivers aged 25 or older. These findings demonstrate the importance of keeping teens safe while driving and offer insights into how parents can better protect their teen drivers. Here are various ways of keeping them safe while behind the wheel:
Ensure All People in the Front and Back Seats Buckle Up
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that at least 60 percent of teens killed in car accidents were not wearing a seat belt. They don’t use them for several reasons, including peer pressure, the belief that they can take the impact of an accident without one, and because it’s harder to hear people around them if they’re wearing a seat belt. This is a problem because driving isn’t just about seeing the road ahead but also about hearing other people and communicating with them.
Limit the Number of Their Passengers
Everyone wants to cherish the experience of driving for a lifetime. However, teens play risky pranks and games in the backseat, leading to severe consequences and accidents. It’s worse when you consider that they can’t handle these dangerous situations. With peer pressure mounting up, their judgment falters, and they end up making big mistakes.
This study focuses on limiting the number of passengers and safer driving among teens. It intends to show how it is possible to create a program to help teens understand that they should drive accident-free even if carrying multiple passengers. In any event, you should consider hiring an attorney to take up the matter in case of an accident. For example, a car accident attorney in Houston is necessary if you live in the city to help with any legal matters.
Restricting Speeding by Creating Awareness on the Consequences
Teens have one of the highest rates of speeding fatalities globally. To help reduce the rates and make roads safer, parents should consider restricting the speed at which teens drive. In particular, they should consider prohibiting them from driving over the speed limit. Speed determines the risk of a fatal car accident, especially for teenage drivers. In addition, restrictions on tailgating may help keep other drivers safe.
Teens Shouldn’t Drive At Night
Teens need to stay safe while driving because they are at a higher risk of getting into accidents than adults. However, this does not mean that it is okay for them to drive at night. Distraction is the number one reason for teenage accidents. Moreover, nighttime driving has multiple distractions like street lights and turns that could easily distract them.
For this reason, they should avoid driving during nighttime hours. It’s a good idea to talk to your teen about their driving habits and to set rules with them. One thing you must avoid, though, is giving them too much freedom too early.
Teens should wait until they are 17 before enjoying full access to the family vehicle. It’s a good rule of thumb because studies show that teens who start driving at age 15 are more likely to get involved in fatal car accidents than older teens. Teens need more time behind the wheel with an adult present before navigating independently.
Teaching Teens Routine Car Maintenance
Most teens learn to drive in the family car, and most parents don’t know what is going on under the hood. It’s advisable to prepare your teen drivers for the road by teaching them how to take care of their vehicles. It can be a great way to bridge the gap between parent and child while learning valuable skills that will help later in life.
Wrapping Up
If you have teenagers, it can be hard to know how to keep them safe while driving. It can be tough to watch your child become independent as a parent. In addition, while teens need to learn how to drive and gain independence, they need this freedom with caution. While there is no guarantee that your teen won’t be in a car accident, you can follow the above tips to keep them safe while behind the wheel.
