Keeping Teens Safe on the Road

Every day in the U.S., eight teens will die as a result of injuries they sustained in a car accident, reports the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Car accidents are the number one cause of teen deaths in the United States and are one of the biggest causes of unintentional teen injuries. Drivers between the ages of 16 to 19 have the highest traffic accident rates out of all age groups, reports the California Department of Motor Vehicles. But why are teen drivers more likely to be involved in a crash than any other age group? Researchers believe not just one, but many factors are to blame for the high incident rates of teen car crashes.

According to the CDC, inexperience, risk taking and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are the leading causes of teen car collisions in the U.S. Most teen car accidents happen within the first year a teenager has a license, and the majority of teen drivers are overconfident about their driving skills, making them more likely to take risks while driving. Teen alcohol consumption is a growing problem in the U.S. Mothers Against Drunk Driving reports that although one in five teens binge drink, only one in 100 parents believe his or her teen binge drinks. Considering that one out of every three teen car accidents is alcohol-related, the issue of underage drinking cannot be ignored.

Here’s how can parents reduce the risk of their teen being involved in a crash:

• Practice driving with your teen as often as you can.
• Don’t let your teen drive when a crash is more likely to occur – at night and when a teen passenger is in the car.
• Know and enforce the state’s driving laws.
• Talk to your teen about why the “rules of the road” are important and what the consequences may be if they are not followed.
• Lead by example.
• Never serve alcohol to your teen or your teen’s friend.
• Create a parent-teen driving agreement to reinforce the rules of the road.

As a seasoned California personal injury lawyer, I know firsthand the devastating consequences that can result when teens fail to obey traffic laws. I urge every parent of a teen to take the time to enforce good driving habits and instill the importance of obeying traffic laws. Get involved with your teen’s driving – you can make a difference! For more tips on how to keep your teen safe on the road, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website.