By Sarah Younger
2 Minute Learn
Watching your teenager drive off on their very own for the primary time is usually a bittersweet expertise. You spent hours and hours making ready them to be protected drivers, however you continue to fear. How will you go the additional mile to soundly put together your youngster for the open highway and keep away from a automotive crash? We will reply that query, however first, let’s take a look at a number of the statistics and elements that result in teen automotive accidents.
Teen accident statistics
Based on the CDC, about 2,400 teenagers in the usare killed in automotive accidents annually and virtually 258,000 teenagers are hospitalized. Teenage boys are two instances extra more likely to be killed in a automotive accident than teenage ladies, so in case your son is about to begin driving, chances are you’ll need to take further care in instructing him how one can be a protected driver. Our final driving security information is a superb first step in your dialog in regards to the significance of driver accountability.
Subsequent, let’s discuss a number of the causes teenagers are extra in danger.
Why do teenagers get into accidents?
There are lots of the explanation why teen drivers usually tend to be in automotive accidents, and figuring out these causes may help you retain your youngster out of doubtless harmful conditions. There are two principal classes that the majority teen automotive accidents fall into: elements exterior of their management and people which can be inside their management. We’ll go over every.
Elements exterior of their management
Inexperience is harmful
Your youngster is most vulnerable to being in an accident within the months after they get hold of their driver’s license. Typically talking, the extra apply somebody has earlier than getting their license, the much less possible they’re to get in a automotive accident.
How one can assist:
Even after your teen is legally capable of drive alone, proceed common driving classes with them to strengthen good habits.
Drowsy driving
About one in 10 automotive accidents are brought on by drowsy driving. Teenagers have busy schedules, and whereas they might really feel fantastic to drive dwelling after an extended day, many don’t perceive their very own limitations but. Alert driving is accountable driving.
How one can assist:
Educate your youngster to acknowledge the indicators that they might be too drained to drive; extreme yawning, incapacity to focus, and lacking turns are all issues to look out for. Reassure your teen that in the event that they really feel this fashion, you’re solely a cellphone name away and can choose them up if want be.
Elements inside their management
Extra passengers are much less protected
In case your teenager has turn into their pals’ driver of selection, it’ll enhance their probabilities of being in an accident. In truth, that likelihood will increase with each extra teen passenger they’ve of their automobile.
How one can assist:
It’s important to set clear boundaries together with your youngster about what number of pals they’ll have of their automotive at one time. There are sometimes authorized limits to this as nicely relying on how lengthy your teen has had their license.
Seat belts are key
Sadly, teenagers are much less possible to make use of seat belts than grownup drivers. Solely 87% of teenagers frequently bear in mind to make use of their seatbelts, whereas grownup drivers have a tendency to recollect 90% p.c of the time.
How one can assist:
Lead by instance by all the time buckling up while you drive and remind your teen to do the identical. Allow them to know their driving privileges will solely be allowed to proceed in the event that they all the time use their seatbelt.
Texting whereas driving
Based on the 2019 Nationwide Youth Danger Conduct Survey, about 39% of teenagers ship texts or emails whereas driving. This sort of distracted driving claims about 3,142 lives a 12 months, and people numbers appear to be rising. Some states have even banned using telephones by drivers altogether, so we’ve compiled every state’s particular cellular phone legal guidelines.
How one can assist:
Discuss to your teen driver about how harmful distracted driving will be. You too can try this checklist of apps that can forestall your youngster from utilizing their cellphone whereas driving.
Rushing
Teenagers are way more possible than older drivers to hurry, and rushing is a large issue in relation to the severity of automotive accidents. In 2018, 30% of male drivers aged 15–20 years and 18% of feminine drivers aged 15–20 years concerned in deadly crashes have been rushing.
How one can assist:
As all the time, you need to speak to your teen in regards to the risks of rushing and proceed to show protected methods in your driving. There are additionally monitoring methods you should utilize to observe your youngster’s driving.
Ingesting and driving
Everyone knows that consuming any quantity of alcohol can enhance the chance of a automotive accident. Youngsters who drive below the affect are much more more likely to be concerned in a crash. In 2018, 24% of drivers aged 15–20 killed in deadly motorcar crashes had been consuming.
How one can assist:
Though consuming below the age of 21 is unlawful within the U.S., many teenagers nonetheless discover a approach to drink. Being an concerned mother or father could also be the very best approach to hold them from consuming and driving. Methods to do that embrace setting a curfew and greeting your youngster once they get dwelling to test for indicators of alcohol use, ensuring your individual alcohol in the home will not be simply accessible, and making a pact together with your teen that they may by no means drink and drive. Take into account a contract you’ll be able to print out and have them signal to grasp the significance of solely driving when sober. Lastly, let your youngster know that if they’re ever in a state of affairs the place they or the particular person they’re using with has been consuming, they’ll name you for a protected experience dwelling.
Even with all of the prevention on the planet, generally accidents do occur. That’s why it’s important that your youngster additionally is aware of what to do if they’re concerned in a crash.
What to do in an accident
In case your teen is concerned in a automotive accident, they will need to have a transparent plan of motion so that they don’t panic. The next steps are an excellent common information to share together with your teen driver:
- See if anyone in every automobile concerned is damage. If they’re, name 911 ASAP.
- Transfer your automobile off the highway/out of site visitors if it’s drivable and activate the hazard lights.
- If it’s unattainable to drive the automobile, name roadside help or a towing firm to maneuver the automotive.
- Name the police to report the accident.
- Alternate contact and insurance coverage firm info with the opposite driver.
- Take photographs of the accident.
- Write down another particulars in regards to the accident in your cellphone’s Notes app. Embrace the opposite driver’s contact information, driver’s license information, the opposite automobiles make and mannequin, the situation, the climate on the time of the accident, the date, and the time. Additionally, embrace any contact info for witnesses.
- Get a duplicate of the police report.
- Name your insurance coverage firm to begin the claims course of.
- Let the insurance coverage firm information the method from there.
Insurance coverage in your teen
Your teen needs to be added to your us automotive insurance coverage coverage as quickly as they’re licensed. We provide financial savings and protected driving incentives in your teen, together with accident forgiveness.
With the correct apply and data of how one can each forestall teen automotive accidents and what to do ought to one happen, you’ll be able to relaxation simple figuring out your youngster is safer on the highway. Shield them within the course of by getting a quote right now.
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