Teen Driving Safety Tips for Families

February 25, 2022

| Child Safety

Are you the parent or caregiver of a new teen driver? Much anticipation and preparation likely went into getting your teen driver ready for this milestone. Many of us can remember what it was like to get our first set of car keys. We may also have memories of our first fender bender or close encounter due to severe weather or hazardous conditions. As exciting as this time can be for your child, it’s important to have a serious conversation with them about the dangers of the road. Today’s post will include teen driving stats and safety tips to discuss as a family.

Teen Driving Facts

The facts around teen drivers and auto accidents are alarming. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports “the risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among teens aged 16-19 than among any other age group.” When you view the risks per mile driven, teens are three times more likely to be in a fatal crash compared to drivers 20 years and older. Those who are at the greatest risk in this age group are males, those with teen passengers, and those who are newly licensed.

Contributors to Crash Risk

In examining what may lead to the higher risks of accidents for teen drivers, the CDC places inexperience at the top of the list, followed by speeding, low seat belt use, alcohol, and driving in the nighttime or on the weekend.

Danger Zones to Discuss With Your Teen

The eight danger zones identified by the CDC are as follows:

Driver inexperience
Driving with teen passengers
Nighttime driving
Not using seat belts
Distracted driving
Drowsy driving
Reckless driving
Impaired driving

Agree on Ground Rules for Safer Driving

After going over the aforementioned danger zones, have a collaborative conversation with your teen regarding safe driving ground rules. A few we may suggest include:

Always wearing seat belts
Following posted speed limits
Staying away from alcohol and drugs
Using turn signals
Putting phones and technology out of reach to reduce distracted driving
Limiting teen passengers
Limiting driving at night

Other tips highlighted on TeenDriving.com:

Proper hand placement on the wheel
A clean windshield for better visibility
Being aware of aggressive drivers
Keeping gas in your car
Being a safe driver at school (more on their website)

Additional Steps to Consider

Be sure to review the First Driver’s License section on the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) website for requirements and resources. The Insurance Information Institute recommends parents sign their teen drivers up for a driver’s education course. They also suggest looking into safe driver programs offered by your insurance company. Modeling safe driving habits around your teen is also emphasized. Spending some time on the AAA Keys2Drive website may also be worthwhile. They have a parent-teen agreement that is print-friendly and ready for signatures.