Keeping Your Teenage Driver Safe

While teens are often ready and raring to get their provisional driving permit or driver's license the second they're old enough, the very idea can strike fear into the hearts of their parents—and for good reason. Car accidents are the leading cause of accidental deaths for teenagers in the United States. In fact, per mile driven, teen motorists are nearly three times more likely than older drivers to be in a fatal crash. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), driver inexperience is a main cause of serious or deadly motor vehicle accidents involving teenagers. As a result, teens tend to face the greatest risk of crashing during their first year of licensed driving.

Concerned About Keeping Your Teenage Driver Safe?

California's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws can help. These laws require teens to complete a lengthy, step-by-step process in order to receive an unrestricted driver's license, allowing them to ease into their role as a new driver and gain the skills and experience necessary to safely enjoy full driving privileges.

There's also a lot you can do as a parent or guardian to keep your teen safe on the road. For example, in addition to modeling safe driving behaviors for your teenager, you can also talk to them about the importance of obeying traffic laws, the dangers of texting and other distractions, the potentially horrific consequences of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and other safety issues.

While discussing safe driving practices that are intended to (hopefully) keep your teenager from getting in a crash, it's also vital to talk to them about what to do if they are involved in an accident. Stopping at the scene, reporting the collision to law enforcement, avoiding admissions of liability, taking photos of injuries and damages, seeking immediate medical attention, and consulting an attorney are all things your teen should be prepared to do in the event of a crash.

Hurt in an Accident That Wasn't Your Fault? We Can Help

At the Inland Empire Law Group, our team of exceptional injury recovery professionals helps accident victims fight for the compensation they deserve. If you or your teen were in an accident, we may be able to assist you. Contact us today toll free at (888) 694-3529 or (909) 481-0100 to schedule an appointment for a free initial case consultation.