If you are a parent to a teenage driver, it’s important to teach them how to drive safely. Today’s teens face a lot more challenges than their parents did, such as smartphone technology! As a parent, it’s your job to teach your teen drivers about the dangers of distracted driving, otherwise, they can learn their lesson after it’s too late.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “Distracted driving is dangerous, claiming 3, 477 lives in 2015 alone.” If you’re looking for a video clip to show your kids on the dangers of texting while driving, check out this video prepared by the NHTSA for teenage drivers. We also recommend having your teen read this page.
Let’s take a look at the statistics from the National Safety Council on teen driving:
- Of the teens who die in a crash, 66% are not wearing a seatbelt.
- Of the teens who are in crashes, 58% were distracted at the time.
- Of all car crashes, 25% involve a teen who is under the influence of alcohol.
Even though some people think that teens are involved in so many accidents because they speed or because they’re drinking, that’s not necessarily the case. According to the National Safety Council,
“Contrary to popular belief, teens crash most often because they are inexperienced. They struggle judging gaps in traffic, driving the right speed for conditions and turning safely, among other things.”
Teen Driver Accidents
If you think “Oh, but my teen driver is very safe,” don’t assume your son or daughter knows what they’re doing. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC),
“Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens.” The CDC goes on to say, “Six teens ages 16 to 19 die every day from motor vehicle injuries.”
To ensure that your child doesn’t become a statistic, teach them about the dangers of distracted driving, riding in vehicles with drunk teen drivers, and speeding. You can also help him her get educated by directing them to this webpage created by State Farm on teen driver safety. It’s a great resource for parents as well!
If you’re looking for a New Jersey car accident attorney, contact our firm at (201) 870-1909 to get started! We’re here to help you receive maximum compensation!