How to Keep Teen Drivers Safe

Teenage drivers are in the highest risk category for road accidents, so no matter how much you nag your kids to drive safely, sooner or later you may need to hire the services of a car accident lawyer. So how can you prevent the worst from happening to your teenager when they get behind the wheel of a car?

Practice Driving

The first year a teenager driver is on the road is the most dangerous. Teenagers tend to assume that just because they have passed their driving test, they can drive. The reality is very different. Gaining a driver’s license is just the first step in a long road to becoming an experienced – and safe – driver.

Take your teenager out for supervised practice sessions as often as possible. They may think they know how to drive, but the more miles they have under their belt, the better. Driving in bad weather, during rush hour, and at night are the most dangerous times for inexperienced drivers. Help your teenager gain valuable experience with you in the passenger seat to offer advice. Alternatively, book your teen on to an advanced driving course; it will help to lower their insurance costs.

Avoid High Powered Cars

Many parents buy their son or daughter a car once they have passed their test. This is very generous, but if you splash out on an expensive, powerful car, you could inadvertently be responsible for causing an accident.

Teenagers are not experienced enough to handle a powerful car, which is why they are more likely to end up in an auto accident when driving one. If you want to buy your teen a car, stick to models with small engines. They are a lot safer.

Avoid Night Time Driving

Driving at night is a lot more difficult that driving on a nice, sunny day. It takes experience to get used to driving at night with oncoming car headlamps dazzling you. For now, it is better to place a ban on nighttime driving. At least until your teen is more experienced.

Drink and Drugs

Driving under the influence of drink and/or drugs is a fast track ticket to a major road accident or criminal conviction (or both). I hope that your teenager is not stupid enough to get behind the wheel whilst intoxicated, but make sure you impress upon them how dangerous it is.

Prohibit Mobile Use

Chatting or texting on a cell phone is just as dangerous as being drunk in charge of a car. It does not take much for the average teenager to be distracted, so talking on a phone is not going to help their concentration levels when driving. Again, remind your teenager now dangerous cell phone use is when driving and, if necessary, find some pertinent news stories so they can see the potential consequences in graphic detail.

You cannot wrap a teenager in cotton wool, but you can advise them on how to drive safely, so give them a stern talking to before they get behind the wheel.