Most teenagers look forward to turning 16 so they can apply for a driver’s license. However, their parents may be worried about how to protect them while they are on the road.
Statistics and risk factors
Statistics indicate that teenage drivers are more likely to be in a serious accident than older drivers and sadly, some of these accidents can be fatal. There are several risk factors that make teenagers more susceptible to accidents. These include inexperience behind the wheel, distractions like texting or talking on the phone while driving, driving other teenage passengers and driving at night. Teenagers may also be less likely to wear a seatbelt and may have an accident if they are driving while impaired or driving recklessly.
Parental involvement
There are steps parents can take to keep their teenager safe on the road. The parent may want to ride along with the teenager while they practice driving and can offer suggestions about how to improve. It’s helpful for the teenager to drive at different times of the day and in different weather conditions.
Parents can require their teenager to stop driving after a certain time at night, prohibit them from carrying other passengers and require them to wear a seatbelt every time they drive. Some parents also choose to create a driving agreement with their teenager. It can set out their expectations for responsible driving and consequences for not doing so.
Parents may not realize the positive impact they can have on their teenager’s driving habits. If a teenager has a motor vehicle accident, however, an experienced attorney can help.