Top 4 Dangerous Driving Habits Many Teens Develop

For any parent, teaching a teen child how to drive and then handing over the car keys is a stressful situation.

The fact that a large number of car accidents involve teen drivers makes the situation even more worrisome. As a parent, it is your responsibility to educate your teen child on how to remain safe by helping your child understand the main risks associated with driving and guiding them on safe driving practices.

Wearing a Seat Belt

Teen drivers have the lowest rate of seat belt usage, so they are more likely to be injured in a car accident, regardless of whether they are the driver or a passenger. Make sure your teen driver understands the importance of wearing a seat belt properly. Although a teen driver may find many excuses for not wearing a seat belt, it is important they fully understand the risks associated with not wearing one.

Over Speeding

One of the main causes of car accidents is speeding, which is as risky as not wearing a seat belt. When these two risks are combined, the chances of suffering fatal injuries in a car accident become even higher. Another factor that increases the risk of high speed accidents is a teen's inability to recognize and react to dangerous situations properly and in time. Teens have a poorer sense of judgement compared to more experienced drivers and they may make judgement errors that lead to serious accidents.

Drinking and Driving

Alcohol presents a high risk for all drivers, and especially so for teens. Increase awareness about drinking and driving from an early age so that your child learns about the tragic consequences of indulging in drinking and driving.

Texting and Driving

Teens tend to be easily distracted and one of the riskiest things they do is to text while driving. Young drivers are more likely to text or send emails while driving compared to other drivers, leading to many teen car accidents. In some states, texting and driving is illegal. Teach your teen to check their phone before starting the car and then put the phone away until the car is stopped.

Preparing Your Teen for Safe Driving

With continuous guidance and support, a teen driver can learn and adopt safe driving practices. If you have a teen who has been involved in a car accident, contact a Chicago car accident attorney from Willens Law Offices to give you legal guidance. Call us at (312) 957-4166 today for a free consultation.