It’s no secret that distracted driving is a serious problem across the country for people of all ages. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that eight people are killed every day in distracted driving accidents in the U.S. In 2018 alone, there were 2,841 people killed in accidents involving distracted drivers.
However, teenage drivers are even more likely than other age groups to become involved in these fatal accidents. Parents, taking proactive steps to mitigate the damage caused by distracted teen driving is partially your responsibility. If you have a newly licensed driver, here are some tips that you can implement to help them stay safe and keep others on the road safe, too.
Know the Most Common Driving Distractions for Teens
The first step in keeping your teen safe is to know where the danger lies. Remember, your teens don’t have the years of driving experience that you may have and may also lack the judgment and knowledge necessary to eliminate distractions behind the wheel without your help.
For teens, the most common driving distractions include:
- Cell phones and social media
- Noisy or rowdy passengers
- Sounds systems (radio, Bluetooth music, CD player, etc.)
Make Sure They Are Aware of the Laws
You want to be sure that your teen knows the laws surrounding texting and driving and distracted driving. In California, motorists are prohibited from using hand-held cell phones or other electronic communication devices while driving. Drivers may only use it in a hands-free manner, such as through speakerphone or voice-to-text. However, any driver under the age of 18 is prohibited from using a cell phone while driving at all.
Create Rules and Respective Consequences
You should let your teen know that driving is a privilege, not a right, and that privilege can be lost if certain rules are not followed. For instance, they may be grounded from driving the car if they are found to be texting and driving. If they receive a citation from a police officer, you could make them pay it back themselves.
Additionally, you can have them download a text-blocking app or make a rule that they need to put their phone on “Do Not Disturb” mode while they are driving. This feature blocks incoming texts while your teen is driving so they are not tempted to look at their phone.
Injured in a Distracted Driving Accident?
Remember that your teen will look to you when it comes to their own safety techniques behind the wheel. Always set a good example for your teen by eliminating driving distractions yourself.
We know from experience that even the safest drivers are still at risk of being injured due to other distracted, negligent, or reckless drivers. If you, your teen, or another family member is injured in an accident caused by another person, the legal team at Effres & Effres is here to stand by your side.
We have recovered over $300 million on behalf of our clients, and while we can’t guarantee results, you have our word that we will fight hard to ensure you receive a favorable outcome.
Contact our Los Angeles car accident attorneys at (818) 222-9720 to schedule your no-fee, no-obligation case review today!