Teenage Driving during the Summer Season

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Car Accidents

There is nothing like the open road during the summer season, especially for your teenager, who may be participating in all kinds of seasonal road trips. From trips to the beach, sleepovers with friends, and various outdoor get-togethers, chances are your teen will be hitting the road often, which puts them at greater risk for car accident and injury.

No parent, guardian, mentor, or teacher likes to think about the teens they care for being placed in harm’s way, but control is limited when it comes to the roads and the danger they present. One way you can make a difference is by taking an active role in speaking with the teenagers in your life about the importance of responsible driving.

Doing Your Part

Speak and work with your teen to increase your chances of protecting them, their passengers, and the drivers they share the roads with. Practice the following to promote awareness, education, and to help prevent needless collision and injury on the roadways this summer:

• Plan - Help your teen to prevent bad decisions such as distracted driving before they even have the chance to make them. Encourage them to make any necessary phone calls or send any texts before they physically get in the car, then have them turn their phone off. Program their GPS before they drive, and make sure they know how to get where they need to go before they hit the road. Try to anticipate anything that could potentially distract them before they leave the driveway and take a proactive approach to prep time to ensure their travels are smooth, seamless, and safe.
• Communicate - Communicating is just as important as planning in regards to preventing distracted driving and other potential dangers, such as underage drinking and driving or driving under the influence of other drugs. Do your best to stay in contact with your teen’s friends and their parents. Know where they are going and who they will be with, and have important phone numbers on hand in case of an emergency. Make sure your teen has access to their insurance information in the event of an accident and that they know when it is appropriate and necessary to call 911. Speak with them about the very real dangers of texting and talking on the phone while driving, and how even the simplest of actions, such as eating or playing with the radio behind the wheel can place them at risk for accident and injury.
• Clarify boundaries - Let your teen know your hard limits from the get-go, before they venture out on the road with friends. Convey the grave danger and consequences of underage drinking and what actions are acceptable behind the wheel. Consider attending a short seminar for teens and parents on the dangers of distracted driving and driving under the influence, which are provided by most countries in most states throughout the country. This is a great way to encourage discussion between you and your teen and shed some light on driving behaviors that affect them now, during the summer, and all year long.

You cannot keep your teenage driver safe all the time, but you can equip them with the tools and knowledge necessary to make safe choices. If your teen is injured in a collision at any point in time, be sure to speak with a professional Lake County car accident attorney to ensure their best interest is protected. Call Salvi & Maher, LLP at 847-662-3303 for a free consultation.

Sources:

http://www.nhtsa.gov/Driving+Safety/Teen+Drivers

http://www.distraction.gov/