According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), teens are three times more likely to be in a fatal car crash than experienced drivers.
Teens may feel like they’re on top of the world, but their inexperience behind the wheel can make them more likely to take risks and make mistakes that cause traffic accidents.
Here are five teen driving safety tips you should know.
1. Avoid Any and All Distractions
Drivers of all ages need to keep their full attention on the road at all times. But this is especially true for young drivers. Many teen car crashes are caused by distractions, with drivers ages 15 to 19 involved in fatal crashes more likely to have been distracted.There are three types of distractions: visual, manual, and cognitive. Some tasks require your visual attention, making you take your eyes off the road. Manual distractions take at least one hand off the wheel. And cognitive distractions keep your mind off driving. Teens shouldn’t do anything behind the wheel that keeps their visual, manual, or cognitive attention from the task of driving.Some distractions teens should avoid while driving include the following:
Texting or talking on the phone, even hands-free
- Eating or drinking
- Talking to passengers
- Adjusting the music or other controls
- Putting on makeup, fixing hair, or grooming
- Having friends in the car
- Checking social media, reading emails, or playing games
Whatever you need to do can wait. If it’s an emergency, pull over in a safe spot first. Avoiding distractions in the car can help teens avoid being another victim of distracted driving.
2. Don’t Drink and Drive
Drinking and driving increases the risk of a teen driver getting into a car accident. The CDC states that teen drivers are 17 times more likely to die in a car crash when they have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent than when they haven’t been drinking.Drinking slows your reaction times and impairs your judgment. It can also encourage risky behaviors. This makes drinking and driving even more dangerous for inexperienced drivers. Using drugs while driving has the same effect. Teen drivers should avoid any type of impaired driving to stay focused and quickly react to hazards. Teens should also be reminded not to get into the car with someone who has been drinking or using drugs.Beyond the higher risk of teen driving accidents, underage drinking can become a legal issue. It becomes even more of a problem once they drive while impaired, especially if they end up causing an accident. Driving after drinking any amount of alcohol is illegal for underage drivers. It’s best to never get behind the wheel after drinking to avoid the risk of a fatal crash or a criminal record.
3. Don’t Drive When Tired or Angry
You’d be surprised how much your emotions can affect your ability to drive safely. When you’re angry, you tend to drive more aggressively and take unnecessary risks. It also becomes a cognitive distraction and makes it harder to pay attention to the road. Reckless driving can be deadly, particularly for an inexperienced driver. Driving while tired can be as dangerous as driving drunk. Your body needs a certain amount of sleep to function correctly. When you’re drowsy, you have a slow reaction time and can’t always make quick decisions. You also may have poor coordination and concentration. Teenagers are often juggling school, extracurriculars, a job, and friends. Sleep usually isn’t a priority. But not driving while drowsy or upset is essential for an inexperienced driver to safely make it to their destination.
4. Driver and Passengers Should Always Wear a Seat Belt
Oklahoma seat belt law states that you can be pulled over just for not wearing a seat belt. Every driver and front seat passenger must wear a seat belt in Oklahoma. Not wearing a seat belt can result in a fine. But it can cost you more than that, especially for teen drivers.The CDC also reports that teens have the lowest seat belt use rates. Over 40 percent of U.S. high school students admitted not always wearing a seat belt in a recent year. This is concerning since almost half of teen drivers and passengers who died in car crashes that year weren’t using a seat belt. Always wearing a seat belt can be the difference between life or death in a teen car accident.
5. Obey Traffic Signs and Rules
Everybody on the road has to follow traffic rules. Young drivers also need to become familiar with traffic laws and always obey them. The rules are there to keep you and other drivers safe. Speeding gives you less time to react to hazards. You also need enough space in between you and the car in front of you so you have time to slow down when they do. Running red lights and stop signs can easily cause an accident. Turn signals are also essential to let others know when you plan on switching lanes or turning. Practice makes perfect. Teens should wait to get behind the wheel until they feel prepared. They should spend time driving with a licensed adult in the car. A licensed adult should continue to drive with them until they feel comfortable enough to drive and follow traffic laws on their own. Inexperience is a leading contributor to teen driving accidents, but it can be avoidable when teens have the knowledge and practice needed to be safe drivers.
Talk to an Experienced Teen Driving Accident Attorney in Oklahoma City Today
While these teen driving tips can help with defensive driving, sometimes car crashes happen through no fault of your own. If your teen driver has been injured in an accident due to another driver’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for their injuries.
Call or contact us online today to talk to one of our compassionate teen driving accident lawyers in Oklahoma City about how we can help you.
We are Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, a legal firm that, for decades, has been fighting for the rights of hardworking Oklahoma residents. Our mission is to hold the powerful accountable.
