We often think about teen drivers as some of the most inexperienced on the roads and that is true, but they can also be the best ambassadors for safe and healthy driving habits that we have. Who better to deliver a message of safety and help their peers avoid a Connecticut auto accident than teens themselves.
The critical first step here is for teens to become safe drivers themselves before they become ambassadors for improved safety on the roads among their peers. If you are going to encourage your teen to be an advocate for safe driving you will want to make sure they are educated on all of the safe driving protocols that are necessary for them to drive without getting into an accident. This can be accomplished through Driver’s Education classes, modeling good behavior behind the wheel while you’re driving, and talking to them about the dangers of everything from distracted and drowsy driving to driving under the influence.
Once your teen is sufficiently educated on the issues surrounding safe driving behaviors she can become an advocate for these behaviors among her peers. Some of the ways she might consider advocating include, but are not limited to;
-
Being a voice at her school to discourage students from driving without a seatbelt. Many teen drivers believe themselves to be invincible, if the message comes from one of their peers that they are not, it may be more effective than if it came from an adult.
-
Modeling good behavior when driving with their peers in the same car. This can include things like not using her cell phone while behind the wheel, ignoring conversations happening in the car, and always wearing a seatbelt.
-
Social media advocacy. There are dangers that come with social media use for teens but there is also good that can come from it as well. Being an advocate on social media for safe driving behaviors can include things like sharing video, articles, or podcasts about good behaviors behind the wheel.
-
Organizing assemblies for their whole school to discuss the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A class-wide assembly can be a very powerful way to reach the vast majority of kids in a particular school.
While we cannot place the burden of educating teens on safe driving behaviors squarely on teens themselves, they are certainly the best messengers of this information. Empowering teens to speak up on these issues can be great for the student who is speaking up and it may also help one of her peers avoid a Connecticut auto accident and get to where they are going safely.
Whether you are a teen or an experienced driver, accidents do happen and if you find yourself in a situation where you have been injured or experienced property damage you may need to speak with an attorney. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will speak with you about how to protect your long-term interests.
