Car crashes are common at any time of the year, but with kids out of school for the summer, their inexperience can lead to a greater number of collisions on the roads.
Teens simply do not have the same experience as older drivers. They have less experience behind the wheel and may have fewer opportunities to witness dangerous or hazardous situations. That means that they won’t always recognize when they need to slow down or pay close attention to the roads.
Did you know that around 50% of teens will end up in a collision before high-school graduation?
As a driver who lives near a school, that can be scary. You never know who’s going to be on the roads, but with so many teens who are less experienced, you’re at a higher risk of getting hit.
Fortunately, there are things parents can do to help their teens avoid causing crashes, like taking time to continue helping with training and education after the teen receives a license. Setting rules can also help. Some great rules for new teen drivers include:
- No speeding
- No alcohol
- No additional passengers
- No cellphone use while driving
- No riding or driving without using a seat belt
Parents should also sit down and talk to their children about drowsy driving, driving at night, motorcycle safety and distractions. For example, drowsiness can make a person as dangerous as a drunk driver. Most teens wouldn’t think so unless they were told directly, so it’s important to bring this up to them.
It’s also vital to impress the importance of not using a cellphone or being distracted while behind the wheel. Doing this, even if it’s only for a few seconds, can lead to driving off the road, rear-ending another driver or even getting into a front-end collision.
Motorcycle safety is also something to talk about. Teens need to know to look for motorcyclists and to be aware that they may appear to be moving more slowly than they are. Being aware of potential hazards and other drivers on the road is the only way to avoid a crash in the future.
If you’re struck, remember that you have rights
No matter how old the other driver is, consequences are a reality when a crash is caused. If you’re struck by a teen, you still have the right to pursue a claim and should do so to hold them accountable.