This is the time your teenager has been looking forward to all year – school is out and they have a driver’s license. There might be no greater feeling of freedom than the experience of being a new driver with unlimited time and plenty of places to explore. While your child did have to pass a state-licensing exam in order to be able to legally drive, that doesn’t mean they are automatically a safe driver. In an alarming statistic, the American Automobile Association (AAA) has found that the 100 days after Memorial Day are the most dangerous for drivers between 16 and 17 years of age.
Common Causes of Teen Driving Accidents
A variety of factors can lead to a teen driving accident. One of the most notable and obvious of these is that teenagers simply have less experience driving than adult drivers have. When you give an inexperienced driver free range of the road, they are at a greater risk of causing an accident. The best way to prevent this is to continuously practice driving with your teenager, even after they get their driver’s license. This way, you can remind them to drive safely and monitor their progress.
Another common cause of a teen driving accident is distracted driving. Getting behind the wheel is exciting and there are so many different distractions. Between flipping through radio stations, eating a meal they got at the drive-through, or texting a friend, distractions are a huge issue with new drivers. Make sure that your teenager understands the risks of distracted driving and doesn’t engage in this dangerous behavior.
Safety Advice for your Child
Accidents happen and sometimes it’s impossible to predict or avoid them. In order to better protect your teenager from the likelihood of an accident, it’s important to review certain safety measures:
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Make sure your teenager always puts their seat belt on before turning on the car’s engine.
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Advise your teenager about the dangers of distracted driving and set up a penalty if they use a smartphone while driving.
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Enable your teenager with the responsibility of paying for and maintaining the car they are driving. They will learn about when to change the oil, how often to rotate the tires, and have a better understanding of the financial responsibility of driving.
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Limit driving at night until you are comfortable your child has enough experience to drive safely in the dark.
Contact an Experienced Connecticut Car Accident Attorney Today
When your teenager is the victim of a car accident, life can feel like it’s on hold. The prospect of a summer job, attending college, and future plans can be in limbo after the event of a serious accident. You need the protection and guidance of an experienced legal team to help guide you through the claims process. Your rights are the rights of your child are too important to leave to chance. The attorneys at Leighton, Drapeau & Katz have been serving the residents of Connecticut for over thirty years and we are here to help. Contact us today online or call us at 860-875-7000 to schedule a free consultation.
