How to Crash-Proof Your Teen Driver
Ask any young teen what he or she most looks forward to and most of they will say: “The day I can start driving.” Unfortunately, parents don’t feel the same way about their children driving – and for good reason. More than 3,500 teens die each year in teen driven vehicles, nationwide. That’s an average of 10 a day. The crash rate per mile driven for 16-19-year-olds is four times the rate for drivers 20 and older, according to statistics from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. The risk is highest for 16-year-old drivers. The reason for these alarming statistics is not hard to understand. Inexperience coupled with poor judgment is a recipe for disaster. That said, there is no reason to be unnerved. Here are a few useful tips to crash proof your teen driver.
Lay down the rules: As a parent, you need to get ahead of the state because their rules are simply not strong enough to keep your child safe. Do not allow your teen to get a full license at age 16. Stretch out the learner’s permit period until he or she is 17. Evaluate your teenager. Is he or she mature enough to handle the responsibility of driving at 16? Even if they are, it is a good and safe move to wait a year.
Driving at night: According to a 2003 IIHS report, driving between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. triples the risk of a fatal crash for 16-year-old drivers. Driving after dark increases the danger because it is tougher for anyone to drive at night. Teens are not experienced and may be too fatigued to drive. Also remember that the chance of alcohol being involved goes way up after dark.
Driving with other teen passengers: The risk of a fatal crash doubles when a teen driver has a teen passenger. When there are three or more passengers, the risk is even higher. This is because of the distractions that are created in the vehicle. Teens are also more likely to speed and drive recklessly around their peers, studies show.
Getting it all in writing: Formulate a written teen driver contract, which can be downloaded at no charge from the AAA Web site. By having both parents and the teen sign it, you will make your child understand that driving is not his or her birthright. It’s a privilege that must not be taken lightly and must be earned through responsible behavior.
Driver’s Education: Your teen may look down on driver’s ed classes, but make it mandatory if he or she wants to drive. There is nothing like hands-on training. The experience, knowledge and skill they will gain from this class is going to be invaluable.
Pick a safe car for your teen: Don’t worry about maneuverability. Buy a mid- to large-size car that will keep your teen safe in the event of a crash. Do your research before you buy. Check into the vehicle’s safety features, track record and crashworthiness.
Keeping tabs on your teen driver: According to Edmunds.com, research has shown that teens behave differently in cars when parents are not around. Seatbelt use plummets to less than 40 percent. The Web site suggests that parents use an in-car camera, which is the next best thing to having mom and dad around when their kids drive. Experts believe that having a camera in the car prevents some of the “craziest stuff.”
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