Understanding these errors can help prevent accidents.
Getting a driver’s license is a rite of passage for teenagers across America. There is nothing quite like the freedom of being able to go out on your own. For parents, there is also a great deal of freedom in no longer having to serve as a chauffeur for your child. But with that bit of relief comes a lot of worry. The leading cause of death for teens in the United States is motor vehicle accidents. Even if your child is very responsible, the fact remains that even smart teens can make really dumb decisions, especially if peer pressure is involved.
That is why it is important to review driving safety with your child, even if he or she has already completed a driver’s education course. After all, it is one thing to understand things like traffic laws and regulations, and quite another to know how to make safe choices to keep yourself, your passengers, and other people free from harm.
According to the AAA Foundation, there are some errors that teens repeatedly make when it comes to driving. Any one of these mistakes could prove to be costly if it leads to an accident or increases the severity of an accident.
The first mistake is not wearing a seatbelt. Over half (56 percent) of teens killed in car crashes in 2013 were not wearing seatbelts according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That number is shocking, given that today’s teenagers grew up being buckled into carseats and booster seats, and that many cars are equipped with safety features designed to remind drivers and passengers to buckle up each and every time. You may think that your child will always buckle up because that is what you have taught them to do. But it appears that many teens still aren’t buckling up —and paying the highest possible consequence for it when they are involved in an accident. Remind your child to buckle up each and every time, and make sure that they have their passengers buckle up as well.
Another common mistake is distracted driving. We all know that teens are increasingly addicted to their phones and other devices. Whether they’re using them to text, play games, or be on social media, teenagers spend a lot of time on their phones. Make sure that your teen knows that it is never safe to use a phone while driving, and establish a zero tolerance policy for phone use by a driver — including yourself. You can even download apps that disable your child’s phone (and your own!) while the car is engaged. It may not prevent every accident, but it can reduce the risk of your child being in an accident because they were distracted by a phone.
The third common mistake is following too closely. Many teens think they’re invincible, and that their quick reaction times will save the day if something happens. Or perhaps they just do not fully consider what will happen if the vehicle in front of them stops suddenly. Make sure that your teen knows about the four second rule, which involves leaving a gap of four seconds between their car and the vehicle in front of them. Maintaining this gap can help protect them from any quick changes that the cars around them may make.
The fourth common mistake is speeding, which is often a factor in the most serious car accidents. While the temptation to go fast is understandable, it isn’t safe. Make sure that your teen knows that a speeding ticket isn’t the only risk of going too fast — and that their driving privileges will be revoked if they do not maintain safe speeds.
If you or someone that you love has been hurt in a car accident, contact the Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 or info@larryhparker.com. We will work with you to help you recover for your losses, and we will never charge a fee unless we recover money for you. Initial consultations are always free!
