Teen drivers are constantly taking to the roads, but many people wonder if they are adequately prepared these days. The concern comes after recent reports that indicate that in the last five years, 14,000 fatal accidents in the US have involved teenage drivers. In more than 4,200 of these crashes speed was a factor per data collected by the American Automobile Association, AAA.
Most Common Mistakes of Teen Drivers
Teen drivers are less experienced than older drivers, which may account for some of their accidents. While speeding is one of the most common causes of teen accidents, younger drivers also make other errors. Distracted driving is a serious concern as is not practicing defensive driving techniques. Many of these problems may be the result of poor training or inadequate practice. Parents and driving instructors should spend plenty of time teaching student drivers how to prepare for various types of road and traffic conditions.
Parents Need to Demonstrate Good Driving Techniques
Kids learn from what they see and experience. If their parents are poor drivers, chances are they will be no better. Some parents are not good role models for driving and therefore their kids will likely pick up some of their bad habits. For example, parents who use their cell phones or text while driving may be sending a signal to their children that this behavior is acceptable. Unfortunately, kids are much less able to handle distractions while driving because they have much less experience on the road.
Teach Good Driving Habits
Driving too fast for road conditions is one of the top reasons that accidents occur. Speeding is driving faster than the posted speed limit. However, drivers may travel at the speed limit and still experience danger. For example, wet pavement can cause slippery conditions that require slower speeds. Hydroplaning or sliding may result in serious and even deadly car crashes.
Encourage Safe Driving
Parents are instrumental when it comes to helping their children become good drivers. Provide a safe vehicle for your teen driver and check it often to ensure proper functioning. Help kids to drive without distractions by requiring them to turn off their phones while behind the wheel. Other kids are often distractions and they can encourage reckless behaviors. For this reason, do not allow extra passengers in your child’s car while he or she is still inexperienced.
Parent-Teen Driving Agreement
A parent-teen driving agreement is a document that outlines the expected driving behaviors for young drivers. Parents can provide rules that kids must agree to before they are allowed to get behind the wheel. You can create your own contract or use one provided by AAA here. Putting an agreement in place helps kids understand the importance of following the rules of the road and gives parents some assurance that their children will drive safely.
Although accidents are common among teenaged drivers, crashes can happen at any age. If you are the victim of a serious injury because of a car accident, contact the experienced lawyers at the Law Office of Patrick G. Shea.
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