Every parent dreads the day that their son or daughter is handed their driver’s license. Sure, it will be nice that they can drive themselves to school, home from soccer practice, and their part-time job on the weekend. Oh, and yes, it will be especially helpful that they now can cart their younger siblings around as well. So in some ways, having a teenage driver is not all gloom and doom.
However, the days where dread sits in is when it is Friday night, and your teenage driver asks for the keys to the car, so he or she can pick up a friend and go to the movies, or go “hang out,” or even worse, to a party. With school is in session, teens do not have a ton of free time to go cruising around. However, summer changes all of that. Summer is one of the most dangerous seasons for young drivers. In fact, the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are said to be the deadliest for teenage drivers, this according to the National Safety Council.
In 2012, more than 1,000 people died in car accidents involving teenage drivers during this 100 day period. It is estimated that more than 550 of the people killed were teens. These statistics coupled with the fact that car crashes are the number one cause of death of American teenagers can make any parent ill with worry.
If you are a parent reading this, you are probably wondering what you can do to protect your teen. Sure, you could take away the keys. However, there are other options. The National Safety Council has started an initiative called DriveitHOME. The purpose of DriveitHOME is to offer information and guidance to parents of teenage drivers in hopes of reducing the number of teen crashes to zero. DriveitHOME is a great resource for parents looking for ways to keep their teen safe behind the wheel. The following are just a few of the many tips parents can start to use today and continue with throughout the year:
- Set a good example: It is never too early to start practicing what you preach. Driving distracted is dangerous at any age. Show your teen that when you are driving, that is the only thing you are doing. Do not use your phone while driving. If you want to talk or text—pullover.
- Have a conversation with your teen: Let them know your concerns. Consider having them sign an agreement that sets forth what you expect of them and the consequences if they do not follow the rules.
- Practice, practice, practice: Just because your teen has his or her license does not mean that he or she is an expert driver. Continue to ride with your teen and allow them to practice their skills. A parent can be a great driving coach!
If your teen suffered serious injuries after being involved in a collision, it is important to contact a skilled Kansas City Injury Attorneys who can protect his or her rights! The experienced Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. have been helping accident victims in Kansas and Missouri for almost two decades. Our seasoned Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys will fight to make sure that you receive proper compensation for your injuries. Trust the Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. to help you, just as they have helped countless injury victims in the area. Call Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673 to schedule a consultation. We look forward to meeting with you.