During the summers in Minnesota and Wisconsin, teenagers are out more. The ones who don’t have a driver’s license may ride with friends. While this is a normal rite of passage, it is also a time during which safety must prevail. Keeping teens safe when they aren’t right next to their parents or another responsible adult can be taxing.
The safety culture that each parent sets for the teen has a big impact on what the new driver or passenger will do while they are out with friends. It is important that the parents show these safety concepts so that the teen sees them in practice.
Prepare for the drive
Preparing for the drive is one of the most important things that a teenage driver can do. This means ensuring they aren’t impaired, fatigued or distracted. They don’t have much experience behind the wheel, so any external factors that might impact their ability to drive must be addressed before they start the engine.
Once they get into the vehicle, they must buckle up and have all passengers to do the same. While the vehicle engine is on, the teen should avoid using a cellphone. Around 16 percent of all teenagers who are driving at the time of a fatal crash were distracted.
Keep passengers to a minimum
The more people in the vehicle, the more likely the teen is going to become distracted. Limiting the number of people in the vehicle can reduce the likelihood of a crash. Laws sometimes dictate the maximum number of passengers that new drivers can have, so find out about your local and state laws to determine if there is a limit.
Practice safe driving techniques
The inexperience of teen drivers means they might not be prepared for some hazards that pop up during a trip. They should always drive at or below the speed limit since speeding lessens the time they have to react to incidents or obstacles.
Encourage them to only drive when necessary and to limit the amount of driving they do in inclement weather or at night. Additionally, keep the music down so they can hear what is going on around them. Blaring music might mean they can’t hear honking horns.
When a person is struck by a teen driver, they might feel sorry for the young person. If you are in this position, you should treat the accident like you would any other one. This means contacting the authorities and seeking out medical care.
You might also choose to seek compensation for the accident. Seeking the assistance of someone familiar with this type of legal situation can help you to learn about your rights and options, and you someone to count on throughout the process.