For a parent, 16 years goes by in the blink of an eye. One moment your precious little one is just a helpless baby, and the next moment he or she is a teen asking you for the keys to the family car. It sounds like a cliché, but kids grow up fast! For parents, this means it is difficult to stay ahead of your child, in terms of knowing their needs and how to keep them safe. Having a teen driver is one of the scariest moments in a parent’s life. Sure, you no longer have to pick them up after football or cheerleading practice, but at the same time, you worry if they will make it home in one piece. The important thing all parents need to realize is that they are not completely helpless. Part of raising a responsible teenage age driver is to put rules in place that will protect your teen from being in an accident. Remember to take the time to explain to your teen why you are putting these rules in place—and not just because you, as the parent, said so. Educate them about the deadly mistakes other teens have made and how your teen can learn from these mistakes.
Mistake No. 1: Driving with a cell phone.
Teens love their love phones and who can blame them—adults do too! However, it is critical for teens to understand that driving and cell phone usage do not mix and are a lethal combination—as dangerous as drunk driving! Parents can set a good example for their teens by making sure they never use their phones while driving, not even in hands-free mode.
Mistake No. 2: Driving too fast.
Speeding is illegal and therefore if caught, your teen faces not only a fine but you as a parent may also see a dramatic rise in your car insurance premiums. Driving too fast is also a factor in nearly every crash involving a teen driver. Help your teen to understand that if he or she speeds or drives too fast for conditions, he or she is more likely to lose control of the vehicle and be involved in an accident.
Mistake No. 3: Driving while distracted.
Phones are not the only things that can distract a driver. Young drivers can also be distracted by interacting with a passenger. Did you know that a teen that has one passenger under the age of 21 increases the teen driver’s risk of a being killed in an accident by more than 40 percent? Consider making it a rule that your teen cannot have any passengers, except siblings and adults.
Mistake No. 4: Not buckling up.
A recent study found that 60 percent of 16-20-year-olds who were involved in accidents were unbuckled at the time of the crash. Remind your teen that they need to buckle up every time they get into a car. Not only will this save them from a ticket (it is illegal not to wear a seat belt) it could also save their life.
If your teen was injured after being involved in an automobile accident, it is important to speak with a skilled Kansas City Injury Attorney as soon as possible. Only an experienced Injury Attorney can review the facts of your case and determine whether another party is responsible for the injuries sustained and damages caused by the other driver. The Kansas City Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. have helped countless accident victims, in both Kansas and Missouri, obtain just compensation. Our compassionate team of attorneys will fight for your rights and hold the wrongdoers accountable. To schedule an initial consultation with one of our Injury Attorneys, contact Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. today at (816) 472-4673.