Raising a teenager isn’t easy, and it can get even harder once your child has their driver’s license. It’s no secret that teens are statistically more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash, which is why it’s so important that parents support young drivers and help them make good decisions. With that in mind, here are three ways parents can help their teen drivers get home safe.
Establish a Driving Agreement
One recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is to establish a driving agreement with your child and follow-up with regular discussions about driver safety and road obstacles with which your teen may struggle.
A driver agreement is a simple way for parents to put their driving restrictions and expectations on paper. Parents can customize these however they see fit, but the CDC has a printable template to use to help you get started. Even something as small as making sure your child doesn’t wear earbuds while driving can make a huge difference and improve their chances of getting home safely.
Offer to Drive Your Teen
If your teen wants to go to a party or spend time with friends, consider offering to drive them. This practically eliminates the chances of your child being responsible for a DUI.
Equally important is making sure your child can trust you to pick them up, regardless of whether they’re intoxicated. Remember that teens are more willing to accept a ride from a peer who is unsafe to drive, which is why your child needs to trust that you’ll pick them up when they call on you.
Make Sure Your Teen Isn’t Driving at Night
Driving at night is always more hazardous than driving during the day. On average, about half of all fatal car crashes occur between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Although there are many causes for these crashes, DUIs and drivers falling asleep at the wheel tend to be two of the most severe factors.
While drivers with a junior license shouldn’t be out after 11 p.m., parents may want to set an earlier curfew to make sure their child isn’t taking unnecessary risks.
If your teen driver suffered severe injuries in a crash, we can help. To schedule a free case consultation with an experienced Luzerne County car accident attorney from Slusser Law Firm, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (570) 405-9953 or send us an email.