You can help your teen driver avoid car accidents

If you are the parent of a teenager with a driver’s license, you probably spend a lot of time worrying about his or her safety. If you take time to consider the statistics revolving around teenaged drivers, your worry likely increases. Here are a few fast facts about fatal teen car accidents.

— The fatal car accident rate per mile for drivers aged 16 to 17 is nearly double the rate for drivers aged 18 to 19.

— The fatal car accident rate per mile for drivers aged 16 to 19 is three times higher than the rate for drivers 20 or older.

— In America, teens drive less frequently than older motorists do, but their fatal accident rate remains disproportionately high.

Despite the facts, you really can help your teens stay safe on Illinois roadways. While you cannot stop a drunk driver or negligent motorist from crashing, you can teach your teen drivers tips to help them avoid these car accidents.

Practice makes perfect: One of the best ways to judge your teen’s ability to drive well and stay safe is to ride along. This gives them valuable practice in avoiding dangerous situations and allows you to monitor his or her abilities.

Demonstrate safe driving: Remember kids learn from the behavior of parents. Wear your seat belt at all times, stringently follow traffic laws and show your teen how you avoid potentially dangerous traffic conditions.

Communicate truthfully: Instead of shielding your teen from disturbing car accident facts, talk with them about the risks. Do not be afraid to use real car accidents as a way to remind them about safe driving.

Keeping your teenager alive and healthy is your first goal. If someone does injure your child through negligent driving, do not hesitate to speak with a personal injury attorney about a legal means to hold the motorist accountable.

Source: Meemic, “Teen Driver Safety,” accessed March 27, 2017