I’ve spent my whole life in the collision repair business, but it wasn’t until my teenage boys got behind the wheel of their first car, that I realized how scary it really can be. There is nothing about driving a car that is natural. It just takes time and experience to get better. But, there are a few things your teenage driver can do to stay safe and stay out of the body shop. Learn 8 safe driving tips to keep your teenager safe.
7% of drivers, in the US, are teenage drivers. In 2017, approximatly 300,000 teens were treated in an emergency room or killed in car accidents. Although 15-24 year olds account for only 13 percent of our population, they are responsible for 30 percent of the total costs of vehicle injuries according to the CDC.
Luckily, teenagers won’t remain inexperienced forever and there a
re precautions you can take to keep them safe.
Avoid Distractions
Distractions are the largest reason for car accidents. Limit cell phone usage to when the vehicle is parked. Teenagers just don’t have the experience to talk on the phone, use navigation or anything else on their phone while driving.
Obey the Speed Limit
Speed limits are set for a reason and they should be followed. A study done by UC Berkley showed that for every 1% increase in a drivers speed the chances of an accident increase by 2%, the chances of serious injury increase by 3% and the chances of an accident resulting in a fatality go up by 4%.
When my sons were new drivers, we used an app called Life 360 that told us where they were and how fast they were going. This allowed us to monitor their safety even if they were riding in another car. They won’t like it, but you’ll sleep better knowing it’s on.
Avoid Driving at Night
For the first 6-12 months the driver is new to driving, they should limit driving to daylight hours. After dark visibility becomes more difficult and animals, pedestrians, parked cars, etc. become harder to see and increase the risk.
Avoid Passengers
For the first 6-12 months a teenage driver should be limited to only driving with an adult. Other passengers, and especially other teenagers, can really distract a new driver.
Don’t Drive Tired
Teenagers should not drive while tired. The risk of a serious accident go up substantially when they are tired.
Avoid Inclement Weather
For the first 6 months drivers should avoid driving in rain, fog or snow. The added loss of visibility and change in the conditions just aren’t worth the risk. Introduce difficult driving situations while an adult can be in the car.
Always Wear a Seat Belt
There is a reason wearing a seatbelt is the law. It saves lives.
Practice is Key
Take your teen out and drive. It really does take practice and there are a lot of circumstances that come up that you will need to explain. Don’t forget to spend a lot more time than you think backing up and pulling into parking spaces. Most of the accidents teenagers get in are either backing up or pulling into a parking place.
If you eventually get in an accident, don’t worry Collision Pros has shops in Auburn, Chico, Paradise, Red Bluff and Woodland CA. We are always here to help. Hopefully these 8 safe driving tips to keep your teenager safe.
