Teenage driving risks

Did you know that every day six teenagers get killed in preventable car accidents? In 2021, accidents involving teen drivers actually killed 2,608 people.

Sadly, teens actually have a three-times greater risk of accidents than drivers 20 years of age or older. Therefore, you and your teens should understand their driving hazards.

Inexperienced driving

Each state has different requirements for teens who seek a license. In Florida, teens between 15 and 18 years of age have to take a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course before they can receive a learner’s permit. However, these courses do not prepare teens for the requirements of the road. In fact, the majority of teen accidents are the result of inexperience. Therefore, parents should spend additional time with their teens behind the wheel, so they get adequate experience before they are out on their own.

Distracted driving

Distracted driving affects every driver, but teens are even more susceptible. Did you know that the risk of an accident increases significantly when teens have passengers in their vehicles? In fact, just one passenger increases their risk. If the passengers are loud or rowdy, this hazard by two to six times the normal rate.

They also experience greater risks when they have devices out, and did you know that up to 50% of teens admit to driving while texting? Even loud radios and GPS can cause distractions if they are not used properly.

Impaired driving

Your teens also have a greater risk of accidents when they drive impaired. Impairments can include drugs or alcohol, but even drowsy driving is dangerous and has a similar risk to actually driving drunk.

For the best results, teach your children about their driving risks and set ground rules to keep them safe.