Teen drivers and passengers of teen drivers are at the highest risk of death caused by motor vehicle crashes. New found freedom, the exhilaration of driving, the camaraderie of teenage friends, and the relief of being out from under watchful eyes all fuel the teenage driver and passengers to make dangerous decisions when in a car.
Almost half of teenagers that die in car crashes are not wearing safety belts. Parents are shocked when they hear that their child who has never been in a car without a seatbelt made such a poor choice. We are constantly updating safety equipment in cars, but the safety features can’t help when they are not properly used. Cavalier attitudes and a feeling of invincibility lead to teenagers deciding not to buckle up.
Teenagers are at the highest risk of death and disability caused by motor vehicle accidents than any other age group. There are many factors that contribute to their risk. First on the list of risks is inexperience. Inexperience and immaturity combined causes young drivers to feel bulletproof behind the wheel. They get too cavalier about their skill and are extremely lax when it comes to being cautious on the road. They’ve most likely experienced a lifetime of safety in a car and are not afraid of how easily an accident can happen.
Many teenagers combine racing or speeding, with alcohol and drugs. It feels fun to them to go fast when they are under the influence. It can be impossible to convince them that there is any danger involved in driving under the influence, at all. This puts them in the highest risk category for death caused by drinking and driving.
Teen drivers almost double their risk of a fatal wreck with each additional passenger that they carry. This is because teens are more likely to engage in risky behaviors when in the presence of their friends. It is also because of the many distractions that take place when there are other teens around. Talking, laughing, pointing out things outside of the car, singing, dancing, and socializing in general all contribute to driver distraction. Some states do not allow teenage drivers to carry teenage passengers until they have at least six months of driving experience.
Even when teens are alone the distraction rates are significantly higher than they used to be. The use of cell phones, MP3 players, GPS systems, and even laptops add to the distraction level of many teen drivers.
Many parents are concerned about having their teens be responsible while behind the wheel. The best thing that you can do is to be a good example. Always use your speakerphone or hands-free headset to answer incoming calls that may be important. Pull over if it seems that the conversation cannot wait until you are done driving. Utilize directory assistance and mobile concierge services to avoid using the internet, texting, or using a GPS while driving. Mobile concierge services can give you turn by turn directions, movie times, flight information, weather reports and more for cheaper than calling 411. Teaching your child responsibility behind the wheel starts with you.
