It is a big moment for any teen when they get their first driver’s license. They are often excited to experience the freedom of driving themselves places, and are usually in a hurry to take the car out and pick up some friends. This can be an exciting time for parents, too, because it means you are off the hook when your teen needs a ride. The one scary part is the risk factor.
Many car crashes in Chicago involve teens, so how do you make sure your teen does not get into an accident? To help your teen stay safe on the road, talk to them about some ground rules and some good safety habits, and set good examples for them when you drive. Here are some good topics to bring up in a conversation with your teen about safe driving.
Inexperienced Teen Drivers
One of the reasons teens are so much more likely to be involved in car crashes in Chicago is because they do not have a lot of experience driving a car. The lack of experience makes the first year with a license the most dangerous time for accidents. Simply put, teens just have not driven a car enough to be very good at it yet.
To combat this risk for accidents, talk to your teen about good driving habits, and give them some in-car coaching, too. Over the course of your teen’s first six months of driving, it’s a great idea to get them about 50 hours of supervised driving, or more if possible. Make sure your teen has practice driving in difficult conditions, like when it is raining or snowing, or when that Chicago traffic is bad and people are everywhere.
Driving at Night
When you are giving your teen some supervised driving lessons, make sure they get some experience at night, too. Deadly car crashes in Chicago are more common at night, and the risk is especially high for young teen drivers. Another great way to help your teen avoid these risks is by limiting their exposure to nighttime driving. Aside from your night driving practice sessions, it might be good to set a curfew for your teen. Make sure they have the car home by 9pm or so, and they will not have to spend as much time driving at night.
Inexperienced Teen Passengers
It is not just the teen driver who can be responsible for causing an accident. Some teens can also increase the risk just by their actions as a passenger. Data shows that car crashes are more likely when a teen is driving with other teen passengers in the car. Do not let your teen contribute to these car crashes in Chicago. Instead, you may want to consider making some rules about how many passengers your teen can have with them when they drive.
Also talk to them about how they can limit distractions from their passengers. Make sure they know not to try anything dangerous to show off for their friends. Further, talk to them about how to be a safe and respectful passenger while they ride in other people’s cars.
Distracted Driving
Part of the reason it is more dangerous for teens to drive with other passengers in the car is because their passengers can add to the distraction of the driver. The risk for car crashes in Chicago goes up significantly when drivers take their eyes or attention off the road to focus on something else.
Make sure your teen knows to keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road. That means they should not be texting or taking a phone call while driving. Eating while driving can be dangerous for new driver, too. Even spending too much time adjusting the music can cause an accident. Make sure your teen is aware of all of these things and knows to focus on the task at hand instead of anything else.
Drugs and Alcohol
It is important to talk to your child about the risks of drugs and alcohol in general, but this conversation is especially important when it involves the car. Too many car crashes in Chicago are caused because the driver was intoxicated and should not have even been driving in the first place. Start by being a good example for your teen, and never drink and drive yourself. Set a very clear rule that your teen may not ever drive after drinking or using any other intoxicating substances.
You may even want to have your teen sign an agreement promising to never drink and drive. Make sure your teen knows what the consequences will be if they do drive under the influence. Some parents like to offer their teens a way out just to be safe. For example, you could say in the agreement that your teen will not get in trouble if they ask you for a ride, as long as they do not drink and drive.
Seat Belts
Car crashes in Chicago are much more likely to be fatal if those involved are not wearing their seat belts. Make sure your teen driver wears a seat belt, because they need the protection since they are at a higher risk for accidents. Make sure your teen knows the risks, and make the rule that they have to buckle up for every single trip in the car. It only takes a couple of seconds to fasten your seat belt, so there is absolutely no reason for your teen to drive for any amount of time without using it.
Driving While Tired
In many cases, driving while tired can be almost as dangerous as driving under the influence. Drowsiness is most likely to cause car crashes in Chicago extremely early in the morning or late at night. Make sure your teen knows the dangers associated with driving tired, and knows what to do when they are too tired to continue driving.
For example, let them know that it is ok to pull off the road and take a break, because it is better to arrive a little bit later than it is to get into a car accident. This is another area where having curfews can help. You can control the hours when your teen drives to reduce the risk that they will be too tired behind the wheel.
Irresponsible or Reckless Driving
Teen drivers do not have the years of experience that can lead to maturity and good judgement. Sometimes that makes them do things that are excessively dangerous. Talk to your teen to make sure they understand how dangerous driving in general can be. Make sure they know better than to drive too fast or partake in other risky behavior. Your teen should know the limitations of the car they are driving, and make sure they are not pushing it too hard to accelerate, slow down, or take corners.
It is crucial for teen drivers to leave plenty of space between themselves and the cars ahead of them. Tell your teen to give themselves plenty of time to stop, and make sure they know never to tailgate someone. They should also adjust their speed and following distance based on road conditions. Car crashes in Chicago can become more difficult to avoid when the rain and snow come into play, so your teen will have to be extra careful during that kind of weather.
Conclusion: Lead Through Words and Actions
You can have a big impact on your teen’s driving. So you should have a conversation with them about avoiding risk. They learn by listening to you, but they also learn by watching you. Set a good example when you drive, and your teen will follow it when they start driving for themselves. Teens (and drivers of all other ages, too) are much more likely to avoid accidents if they practice good driving habits every time they hit the road.
Lawyers for Car Crashes in Chicago
In a wreck? Need a check? If you or your teen has been injured in an accident, you may be entitled to a settlement. Call Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys at 844-977-1900. Our office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. But we are available 24/7 to take your call. You can also contact us online, where you can fill out an online form or take advantage of our LiveChat to get you the answers you need as soon as possible.
We bring compassion, experience, and skill to your case. Best of all, we give free consultations, so there is no fee unless we win your case. Car crashes in Chicago can already be stressful, so we do not charge our clients for the initial consultation. In fact, we do not get paid unless you do, so call us today for your zero risk consultation.