My oldest son turns 16 in August. The thought of him driving has us looking forward to another able driver in a very busy household and to relieve me of some of my Uber-ing responsibilities. He has his permit, so we’ve been practicing driving, hired an instructor for a few additional lessons, and looked into a defensive driving class. I’m hopeful he’ll be prepared come August 21, but also somewhat terrified of having a teen driver.
Did you know that teenagers are 10 times more likely than adults to be in a fatal car accident, and motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among U.S. teens? Summer happens to be the most dangerous time — causing the stretch from Memorial Day to Labor Day to be referred to as the “100 deadliest days” for teen driving.
We’ve partnered with Farah & Farah to learn more about the dangers of teen driving and what parents can do to keep their teens safe on the road.
Teen Driving and Risky Behavior
For many teen drivers, summer brings more free time with friends and plenty of potential distractions, such as phone use and multiple teen passengers — all of which increase their crash risk. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, when a teen driver has only teen passengers in their vehicle, the fatality rate for all people increases by 51%. Here are some other common risky behaviors reported by teen drivers:
- Driving 10 mph over the speed limit on a residential street.
- Driving 15 mph over the speed limit on a highway.
- Texting while driving.
- Running a red light.
- Driving without a seatbelt.
Keeping Teens Safe on the Road
It’s important to set safe driving rules with your teen drivers. And practice what you preach — they are watching you!
- Wear a seatbelt.
- Put the phone away.
- No speeding.
- Limit the number of passengers you let ride in your teen’s vehicle.
- Never drive impaired and make sure they never drive with someone who is impaired. Make sure they have a designated driver or use a ride-sharing service.
Restrictions to Know About Teen Driving
Parents should be aware and review with their teens the additional restrictions that apply to drivers who are minors:
- No moving violation convictions for one year from the learner’s license date of issuance.
- Compliance with school attendance.
- Zero tolerance for impaired driving.
- 6+ points with 12 months of “Business Purposes Only” restriction.
- Parents can rescind the minor’s license.
- At age 16, with a driver’s license, driving is only allowed from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. unless driving to or from work or accompanied by a licensed adult 21+.
- At age 17, with a driver’s license, driving is only allowed from 5 a.m. to 1 pm. unless driving to or from work or accompanied by a licensed adult 21+.
What to Do If Your Teen is in an Accident
- Move your vehicle to a safe area.
- Call 911, and take notes and photos for the police.
- Don’t admit fault at the scene of the accident.
Let’s protect our teen drivers this summer. Teach your teen safe driving habits. If your teen is in an accident, contact Farah & Farah right away.
