Keeping Teen Drivers Safe
January is Teen Driving Awareness Month, and all motorists should understand the increased risks that can be present among younger drivers. Whether you are a concerned parent or just learning how to drive, here are three things you should know to help keep the roadways safer this month and every other.
#1. Teens Have the Highest Crash Risk
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the risk of being involved in a crash is almost three times as likely for teenagers between ages 16 and 19 than any other group. This risk has also shown to increase when young passengers are in the vehicle.
While experience plays a large role in handling dangerous situations, a teen’s novel skills are not the only reason why these rates are higher. Studies have shown that teens are involved in fatal nighttime collisions at nearly three times the rate as adults and have higher rates of distracted driving and improper seat belt use.
#2. Over One-Third of Teens Text and Drive
Studies from the CDC have found that rates of distracted driving, especially texting while driving, are much higher among teenagers than other groups. In 2019, 39% of high school students admitted to texting while driving within the last 30 days. When looking at fatal collisions, drivers aged 15-19 were more likely to be distracted at the time of the crash than any other age group.
The study also found that teens who were more likely to text and drive were also more likely to drive under the influence or not use a seat belt.
#3. Defensive Driving is Easy to Implement Early On
Understandably, teaching your child to drive can be one of the most stressful times in any parent's life, and much of the skills being used are modeled behaviors from the parent. This is why it's crucial to implement defensive driving techniques early in the teaching process. These techniques may include:
- Scanning ahead and the sides of the road for potential hazards.
- Wearing a seat belt whenever the car is turned on.
- Keeping a three-second distance between you and other vehicles.
- Decreasing your speed or moving to another lane when cars are parked on the shoulder.
- Never assuming what another driver will do.
When teens are more aware of what techniques can be used to make the road safer early on, they can develop better behaviors the more experienced they become.
Northern California Car Accident Attorneys
Our Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley attorneys want to help the roads be safer for all motorists, and we are committed to helping achieve this by holding negligent individuals accountable for endangering the roadways. If your teen has been involved in a collision and sustained an injury, we are here to help your family recover.
Schedule a free consultation with a member of our team by calling (530) 413-0245 or filling out this short form.