Like most parents, you are probably looking forward to and yet dreading the day your teenager gets his driver’s license. On the upside, you will no longer have to drive your son to and from school, baseball practice, the mall or various other destinations. He might even run the occasional errand for you. On the downside, you will worry every time he gets behind the wheel.
While there is nothing you can do to completely ensure that your child never gets in a car accident, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk and increase his safety. Here are a few driving safety tips to share with your child before you turn him loose on the streets of Langhorne.
Keep passengers to a minimum
Studies have shown a direct correlation between the number of other kids in the car and the likelihood of an accident when an inexperienced driver is behind the wheel. Instead of allowing your teenager to drive or ride with several other kids, make a rule that he is allowed to have only one underage passenger in the vehicle.
No driving under the influence
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), teens take the top rung for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In other words, teenagers are much more likely to drive impaired than older drivers. Set clear expectations that your child will not drive under the influence nor get in the car with another driver that is drunk or on drugs. Make a rule that if he drives under the influence, he will lose his driving privileges but if he calls you or another trusted adult for a safe ride home, there will be no punishment.
No cellphone use
While not the only distraction that can lead to a wreck, cellphone use has become one of the leading causes of distracted driving. Consider installing an app on your kid’s cellphone that will automatically disable the phone while he is driving. This will help to eliminate at least one major distraction.
While the above tips can help your teenage driver reduce his chance of an accident, it is not always possible to avoid the consequences of another driver’s bad behavior. If you or your child has been in a car accident caused by a negligent or reckless driver, you might be able to file a claim for the resulting injuries and other damages.