How to Keep Your Teen Driver Safe on Texas Roads

According to an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety report, the fatal crash rate per mile driven for 16 to 17-year old drivers is almost three times the rate for motorists who are 20 years and older. This statistic can be quite unsettling if you are the parent of a teen driver. To promote teen driver safety and help you instill safe driving practices in your teen, we’ve created this list of tips.

If your teen sustains an injury in a car accident that was not their fault, reach out to our experienced Texas car accident lawyers at The Law Giant, Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers. Call us at (866) 523-4167, or reach out online to understand your legal options.

Tips for Teen Driver Safety

By following these tips, you can help your teen drive safe on Texas roads and significantly reduce their risk of causing an accident.

Set a Good Example

As a parent, the most important thing you can do is set a good example for your teen. If your teen sees you texting or speeding while you’re behind the wheel, they’re likely to emulate these behaviors. Obey posted speed limits, avoid distractions, keep both hands on the wheel, and drive in the way you’d like your teen to drive.

Teach Your Teen How to Drive in Various Conditions

Most teens don’t have the experience necessary to drive safely in a variety of weather and road conditions. Therefore, it’s a good idea to educate your teen on how to drive in the rain, wind, and snow. You should also show them how to navigate through road construction.

Create a Driving Contract

Create a driving contract with a written set of rules for your teeth to follow while they are in the driver’s seat. A few examples of these rules are always wear your seat belt, obey all traffic laws, and eliminate all distractions.

The contract should also contain a list of consequences that your teen can expect if they violate the rules. Once your teen reads and signs the contract, they’re more likely to make safe driving a priority.

Hire a Driving Professional

Although you may know how to drive, you may not have the skills and time to teach your teen how to do so. If this is the case, consider hiring a professional driving instructor so that your teen can benefit from the additional hands-on training their driver’s ed course may not be able to provide.

Remain Calm

While staying calm is easier said than done, it’s important. Instead of yelling at your teen and expressing your anxiety when they get a ticket or make a mistake, be patient and remember that nobody is perfect. If you’re anxious, your teen may feel anxious and make more mistakes.

Ensure Purposeful Driving

An accident is more likely to occur if your teen is simply driving around town for no reason. Before they leave the house to drive, ask them where they are going. Make sure they’re driving for a specific purpose and find out whether anyone else will be on their car and what time they’ll be home.

Be Mindful About the Car Your Teen Drives

If you’re shopping for a new or used car for your teen to drive, be sure to explore safety ratings and features. Consumer Reports recommends a vehicle with forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking as these features can stop a crash in its tracks. In addition to selecting a reliable car for your teen, make sure you stay on top of maintenance and repairs.

Sleepy Teen Drivers

Teen drivers are often thought of as dangerous drivers. They might be more likely to drive over the speed limit while texting. Some assume that they are more likely to make mistakes because they are so new to driving. But a new study has shown a different cause for why teens are involved in many…

Teen drivers are often thought of as dangerous drivers. They might be more likely to drive over the speed limit while texting. Some assume that they are more likely to make mistakes because they are so new to driving. But a new study has shown a different cause for why teens are involved in many car accidents.

Researchers at the George Institute for Global Health in Sydney Australia reviewed nearly 20,000 driving records for both male and female drivers between the ages of 17 and 24. It also asked questioned these drivers sleeping habits. Researchers tried to find a connection between sleepiness and car accidents.

Those teens who slept around 6 hours or less were 20% more likely to be involved in an accident in a two year period than their peers who got more sleep. “Less sleep per night significantly increased the risk for crash for young drivers,” the researchers wrote in the American Medical Association journal. It remained the same even given factors such as people’s ages, prior crash history and the number of hours behind the wheel per week.

Although this study focused on the residents of New South Wales, the problem is more global. There are multiple studies done in the US which warn of the dangers of drowsy driving. Just last year the AAA Foundation revealed that over 14% of drivers between the ages of 16 to 24 admitted to falling asleep at least once over the year. The CDC has a similar study of 18 to 44-year-olds of which 5% admitted to dozing off while driving.

Sleeping and driving can cause fatal accidents and some authorities say that one in six. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, then you need the assistance of a legal professional. Contact the skilled legal team at The Law Giant, Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers in San Antonio who can assist you in receiving the compensation you deserve.

Explaining the Dangers of Drunk Driving to Teens

Being a teenager is a common time to start testing out alcohol and possibly getting behind the wheel of a car. This doesn’t have to always be the case though. In fact, there are some ways to prevent your teenager from getting behind the wheel of a car after drinking, and much of it starts with having an open relationship with your kid and not berating her for doing something that most teens do in the first place.

Let’s take a look at the best ways to explain the danger of drunk driving to your teens

Tell Them That You Are Always There To Pick Them Up

This is a strong statement because you are basically saying that you are willing to possibly surpass judgment and punishment as long as you are able to pick them up and keep them safe. The only problem with this method is when the kid feels like they are still going to get punished because they are drinking. Let’s face it, kids are kids. Punishment from parents is the worst possible thing. Many of them would rather take the chance of drinking and driving. Make sure they know that you just want them home safe. This doesn’t mean you have to condone drinking, but it’s better than losing your child.

Share Any of Your Own Experiences

If you have been arrested or pulled over for drunk driving or even gotten in a car accident, tell them about the experience. Talk to them and explain how no one has any patience for drinking and driving in the legal system. If you know someone who was injured or killed because of a drunk driver, tell them about that person and why you don’t want them getting into the same problems.

Talk to Them Like a Human Being

Kids are usually more intelligent than you think. In fact, kids are better at absorbing information and willing to listen to you much more than any adult. Don’t speak down to them like that are not on your level when talking about drinking and driving. Why? Because drinking and driving is an adult topic, so treat them like an adult.

Concerned About Teen Driver Safety? Contact The Law Giant

If your teen has been hurt in a car accident that was not their fault, it is in your best interest to reach out to The Law Giant, Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers right away. We can investigate their case and may be able to help them recover compensation for their damages. Call us at (866) 523-4167 today, or reach out through the online form to schedule a free consultation of your case.