Car Crash Prevention For Teens
Whether your teen is going to be getting their driver’s license soon, or has already gotten their driver’s license in Columbus, it is important to think carefully about teaching your child how to prevent a collision. Given the inexperience of teen drivers, they are involved in a higher volume of crashes compared to other age groups. Indeed, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens,” and “about 2,800 teens in the United States ages 13-19 were killed and about 227,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2020.” Teens who drive with other teen passengers, as well as newly licensed teen drivers, are at the highest risk of being involved in a serious or deadly accident.
What do you need to know about preventing a teen driving car accident involving your newly licensed driver? Consider some of the following tips from our experienced Columbus car accident lawyers.
Common Causes of Teen Car Crashes and Injuries
In order to understand some of the best ways to prevent a car accident involving a teen driver, it is important to understand some of the most common causes of teen car accidents and injuries. The CDC cites the following as the most significant factors in teen driving collisions and subsequent injuries:
- Inexperience behind the wheel, which results in “critical errors that can lead to serious crashes”
- Driving on the weekends and at night when it’s harder to see, plus the overall volume of traffic accidents is higher;
- Failing to wear a seat belt, which can result in serious injuries if a collision does occur;
- Distracted driving, which usually involves texting while driving or talking with another teen passenger in the car;
- Speeding;
- Drinking alcohol; and
- Using drugs.
Ways to Prevent a Teen Auto Accident
What can you teach your teen driver to help them avoid a serious or deadly crash? Try sharing these tips for safe teen driving, which our Columbus Car Crash Attorneys compiled from TeensHealth:
- Avoid driving in inclement weather. The safest strategy for driving in bad weather is to avoid it.
- Remain focused on what is safest in every driving situation, including leaving enough following distance behind the car in front of you, wearing a seatbelt every time you get behind the wheel, and keeping your eyes on the road at all times (including for awareness of other drivers’ bad or dangerous behaviors);
- Pay attention to your surroundings, and routinely check your mirrors and your blind spots for motorcyclists, other motor vehicles, and pedestrians, if you are on a pedestrian-friendly road;
- Never assume that other drivers will behave appropriately or in a careful and reasonable manner. There are aggressive and inattentive drivers of all ages and driving experiences, not to mention pedestrians and cyclists. Their presence on the roads means it’s not enough to make sure that you follow all the rules of the road — you also have to watch out for people who don’t;
- Only drive at a speed that is safe for the conditions at the time, recognizing that “posted speed limits apply to ideal conditions,” including the working condition of all the safety features on your car. When you understand what your vehicles limitations are, it’s much easier to be more careful.
- Avoid any and all distractions while driving. This includes the Teen Trifecta of texting, making phone calls, taking selfies
Contact a Columbus Car Accident Attorney Today
Do you have a teen driver who was recently involved in a motor vehicle collision? Even if your teen’s inexperience played a role in the crash, it is important to know that the other driver may still be liable for harm. One of the experienced Columbus car accident lawyers at the law firm of Brian G. Miller CO., L.P.A. can review your case today and discuss your options for moving forward with a claim.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/teen_drivers/teendrivers_factsheet.html
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/driving-safety.html
