Educating Teens About Driving Safely and Avoiding Car Accidents

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Car Accidents

This year’s National Teen Driver Safety Week takes place on October 15-21, and schools, communities, and organizations across the country are using this event to promote teen driving safety.

This ongoing effort is incredibly important, since motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for teens between the ages of 15 and 18, with more than 2,000 teens being killed and 99,000 teens being injured every year in car accidents across the United States.

Parents of teens should speak regularly with their children about the importance of driving safely, ensuring that they follow these rules while on the road:

1. Always wear a seat belt - Over one-third of teens who die in car crashes are not using a seat belt. Teen drivers should always buckle up and make sure that all passengers do so as well.

2. Never drink and drive - Nearly one-fifth of teen drivers involved in a fatal accident had alcohol in their system. Parents should make sure teens understand the dangers of drunk driving and ensure they that never drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs.

3. Avoid distractions - Distracted driving is dangerous to everyone on the road, and teens are especially susceptible to the distractions caused by cell phones, passengers, or eating and drinking while driving. Encourage teens to turn off or silence their phones while driving and keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel at all times.

4. Obey speed limits - Almost one-third of teens killed in car accidents were driving above the speed limit. Parents should make sure their children obey posted speed limits and model the same behavior in their own driving.

5. Limit the number of passengers - Teen drivers’ risk of a fatal accident increases dramatically as the number of passengers in the vehicle increases. In Illinois, teens may only have one passenger in their car for the first 12 months after they receive their driver’s license (or until they turn 18). However, no matter their teen’s age, parents should encourage their children to drive with fewer passengers, which will limit distractions and improve safety for both drivers and passengers.

Contact a Lake County Car Accident Attorney

If you or a family member have been injured in an accident involving a teen driver, the attorneys at Salvi & Maher, LLP will investigate the circumstances of the crash and represent you as you seek compensation for your damages. Contact our Waukegan car crash lawyers today at 847-662-3303 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.safekids.org/teen-drivers-infographic/

https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/get-materials/teen-safety/national-teen-driver-safety-week

https://www.teendriversource.org/more_pages/page/get_behind_national_teen_driver_safety_week_ntdsw/teen