Getting your driver’s license is a big milestone in a teenager’s life. Newly licensed teens are often eager to get behind the wheel of a car whenever possible. But teen drivers do not have the experience and maturity that older drivers have and are more prone to causing motor vehicle accidents. In fact, the time period starting on Memorial Day and ending on Labor Day is known as “the 100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers as the number of fatal car accidents involving a teen driver generally goes up during this time period. The following are some road safety tips parents in Hopkinsville can share with their teen driver, so their child is not another part of this grim statistic.
Talk to your teen about distracted driving
It seems like most teens are permanently attached to their cell phones. But there is one time when parents should make sure their teen knows to put the phone down: while driving. Trying to text while driving can easily lead to a car crash as texting and driving encompasses all three types of distractions.
First, cell phone use is manually distracting as the teen’s hands are on their phone not the steering wheel. Cell phone use is also visually distracting as the teen’s eyes are on their phone not the road. Finally, cell phone use is cognitively distracting as the teen’s mind is on the text message rather than the task of driving. Talk to your teen about distracted driving.
Talk to your teen about drowsy driving
Teenagers are still growing and need more sleep than adults. However, with their busy schedules many teens do not get an adequate amount of sleep. If a tired teenager gets behind the wheel of a car they may cause a drowsy driving accident. Nighttime is an especially risky time for teen drivers as it can be a time when visibility is limited and the teen driver is tired. Make sure your teen is fully rested before handing them the car keys.
Talk to your teen about drunk driving
Teenagers cannot legally drink alcohol. However, this does not always stop them from drinking at a party or in secret with friends. Even if a teen’s blood-alcohol level is below 0.08% this could easily lead to a drunk driving accident. For this reason, Kentucky has “zero tolerance” laws when it comes to alcohol use and teen drivers. Talk to your teen about the dangers of drunk driving.
Talk to your teen about road safety
Many teens violate road safety laws because they just do not appreciate why we follow these laws in the first place. For example, teens may not wear a seat belt or they may routinely drive well above the posted speed limit. Talk to your teen about the importance of following the rules of the road.
Learn more about motor vehicle accidents in Kentucky
Teens may be more prone to causing car accidents, but they can also become a car accident statistic if they are injured or killed in a crash caused by another driver. Talking to your teen about safe driving practices can help, but it is also important to understand your rights if your teen is injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident caused by a negligent driver. Our firm’s webpage on motor vehicle accidents may be a useful resource for those who want more information on this topic.
