You likely remember the day you got your driver’s license. You put in the time doing driver’s ed and behind the wheel to pass the test and when you do – freedom awaits. Looking back at those first few years of driving, you likely also remember a lot of close calls and mistakes that should have led to serious accidents. The lucky ones only experience close calls – but not everyone is lucky.
The latest data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that more than 200,000 teenagers between the age of 13 and 19 are injured in car accidents in 2020. Even more concerning, teenagers ages 16 to 19 are three times more likely to have a fatal crash compared to drivers over the age of 20.
Thankfully, there are steps teenagers and parents can take to reduce the risks that come with those early years of driving. The following will outline these tips and give guidance on what to do in the event of a crash.
Tips to reduce the risk of a car crash for teenagers
One of the biggest contributors to accidents within this group is a lack of experience. Taking the time to help teens get practice driving and making sure they get in their behind the wheel lessons can help them to get important driving experience. Another relatively easy way parents can help reduce the odds of a bad accident is to set rules around when their teenagers can drive. Almost half of serious accidents occur between 9pm and 6am. Having reasonable curfews until they get more experience can make a big difference.
Other helpful tips include putting rules in place to reduce the likelihood that teens engage in these dangerous behaviors when driving:
- Drinking and driving. Ideally, our kids refrain from any use of alcohol or drugs while underage. Although it is important to remind children of this expectation it is also wise to be very clear about the increased risk of a serious crash if intoxicated while driving. The CDC notes that drinking any amount, whether they feel the impact of alcohol or not, increases the risk of a crash.
- Speeding. Encourage teens to follow posted speed limits and go slower during poor conditions like rain, fog or snow. It can help to remind teens that younger drivers are statistically more likely to get pulled over than older drivers. Driving even what seems a small amount over the posted limit could not only lead to a traffic ticket but also increases the risk of a crash.
- Distracted driving. Navigation, music apps, social media updates and texting are dangerous activities for any driver but add in the inexperience of youth and distractions can be a key cause of accidents.
Some parents find a written contract with their children outlining expectations is important, while others are comfortable with a conversation. Figure out what works for your family and follow through. This conversation can be beneficial even if they are already driving.
Steps to take if my teen is involved in an accident
Tell teens how to handle themselves if they are involved in a crash. First, it is important that they remember accidents happen for any number of reasons. They should not assume they caused the accident. Tell your child to get medical help for themselves, passengers and anyone else who may have been injured in the accident. Although they should check on everyone, they should avoid claiming responsibility for the accident. This is especially important to preserve legal remedies in the event the car accident is the result of another driver’s negligent or reckless actions.
As parents, it is helpful to be there to support children who are navigating the aftermath of a crash. Keep copies of all important documents like a police report (if applicable), medical records and note any missed work or school due to injuries. If you believe the other driver is at fault, it is wise to reach out to legal counsel to discuss your options.
