Learning how to drive is an exciting milestone, but it also comes with important responsibilities. While it may be tempting to pick up your phone or speed past the limit, those seemingly small decisions could have a huge impact on your life and safety. At Hale Injury Law, we’re here to help if you ever find yourself in an auto accident, but we’re also here to provide key driving tips for teens so that you can stay on the road without getting hurt.
The Reality of Teen Driving Risks
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers between 16-20 years old have about a 43% involvement rate in fatal auto accidents, which is the highest rate compared to other age groups.
Additional statistics provide insight into the cause behind this high involvement in accidents among young drivers. In 2021, 27% of young drivers between 15-20 years old that were involved in fatal car crashes had consumed alcohol before driving. Moreover, 75% of auto accidents involving teen drivers are due to common mistakes such as speeding, driving while distracted, and not scanning the roads enough to spot and respond to hazards.
Whenever you’re trying something new, like driving, it’s important to understand the risks in order to make smarter, more confident decisions. While these statistics and the reality of teen driving risks are alarming, having an active awareness of driving safety tips could be the difference between getting home safely or getting into an accident.
Driving Tips for Teens
Becoming a safe driver takes practice, so we’ve compiled a list of key driving tips for teens based on our expertise as personal injury lawyers.
Don’t Speed
Abide by the speed limit, especially when you’re driving in neighborhoods where people and children are walking around.
Don’t Mess with Your Phone
No text or call is worth your life. Send important texts before you start driving, and put your phone on Do Not Disturb to avoid getting distracted.
Don’t Let Your Friends Distract You
As the driver, you’re in charge of keeping your passengers safe, so it’s important and valid to tell your friends to calm down if they’re distracting you.
Don’t Drive When You’re Tired
Driving tired is as dangerous as driving drunk. Stay the night with a trusted friend or call a rideshare service instead of powering through.
Don’t Drive While Impaired
If you’ve been drinking or consuming substances that alter your ability to focus, don’t risk it by driving impaired. Call a trusted friend or your parents to pick you up.
Call the Police When You’re in an Accident
If you get into an accident, call the police first, then call your parents.
Don’t Post Your Accident on Social Media
Any content that you publish relating to your accident could be used against you later, so it’s best to avoid posting anything about it at all.
Stay Protected on the Road with a Personal Injury Lawyer
Car accidents are unpredictable, and even the safest drivers might find themselves in an accident sometimes. In addition to these driving tips for teens, it’s important to understand your legal responsibilities and rights as a new driver, and a personal injury lawyer can help. At Hale Injury Law, we’re dedicated to thoroughly understanding the details of your specific accident so that you can fully recover.
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