Teen Driving Safety
Ensuring our teens buckle up, focus on the road, and make every drive a safe one.
Did you know…
…the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim that car crashes are a leading cause of death among teenagers?
…in 2017, car crashes claimed the lives of six teens aged 16-19 every day in the U.S., while hundreds more were injured?
…compared with other drivers, teenagers are three times more likely to be involved in a car crash?
Top Tips for Teen Driving Safety:
Make sure your teen is buckling up each ride.
Before your teen drives, learn your state’s graduated licensing laws and spend at least 30 minutes each week practicing with them - both before and after they’re licensed.
Kids notice your driving habits, so set a good example - avoid distractions like texting and let your teen help with directions instead.
Driver’s Ed, either through their school or a local organization, is helpful, but it’s not a substitute - regular practice with parents is key to preparing teens for the road.
Common Teen Driving Mistakes
Driving with Distractions
Although cell phone use is most commonly considered distraction, any activity that takes eyes off the road is risky. Changing the radio, talking with passengers, or even hands-free phone use can all interfere with safe driving. The safest choice is to keep full focus on driving.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence is both illegal and extremely dangerous - especially for minors, who also can’t legally drink or use drugs. Talk with your teen about what to do if they’ve been drinking, using drugs, or taking medication that affects driving. Remind them they should always call a sober, trusted adult or friend for a safe ride.
Inability to Notice Upcoming Hazards
Due to inexperience, teen drivers often focus only on the nearest hazard instead of scanning ahead for others - for example, noticing a slowing car but missing one merging into their lane. With practice, their ability to anticipate hazards improves.
Partaking in Risky Behavior
Kids can be reckless, and for new teen drivers, that often shows up as risky driving - like speeding, hard breaking, swerving, driving tired, or skipping seat belts. Discuss these behaviors with your teen so they understand how dangerous they can be.
