The Teen Driver’s Survival Guide
Your teen has worked hard for his driver’s license. But that first year behind the wheel can be especially dangerous. […]
Your teen has worked hard for his driver’s license. But that first year behind the wheel can be especially dangerous. Just because a young person has completed driver training and passed a written test doesn’t mean he’s ready for the varied situations he will encounter on the road.
It’s imperative that your teen acquires the knowledge and experience to help him avoid accidents. Inexperience, coupled with overconfidence and youthful exuberance, can open the door to tragedy. Typically, driver training is unable to address all of the real-world dangers your teen may encounter. Most new teen drivers are woefully unprepared for the unexpected.
Regardless of your child’s driver training experience, you should make it a priority to cover the following scenarios with him before allowing him to drive solo.
1) Distracted Driving
People text and talk on their phones at an alarming rate when behind the wheel, a behavior that has led to a large increase in traffic-related fatalities and injuries. A study by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that at least 3,000 vehicular deaths annually are attributed to distracted driving. The main culprits are drivers under 25. The study revealed they are three times more likely to text while driving than their older compatriots.
Phones aren’t the only distraction teens should worry about. Driving with friends in the car is another cause of inexperienced driver accidents. Teens have enough to do behind the wheel without having to deal with rambunctious friends.
The best solution for distracted driving is to avoid the distractions. Parents should make sure their teen realizes that his first six months of driving is a probationary period. Phones should be turned off and placed out of reach. And no riders other than parents should be allowed during the six month probation.
2) Driving While Intoxicated
Although it should go without saying that drinking and driving is a no-no, there are still thousands of teenagers who get behind the wheel after a few beers. Unless a driver is at least 21 years old, however, he runs the risk of getting a DWI conviction with less than one drink. Indeed, according to Philadelphia attorney Steven Kellis, a person can potentially be arrested for DUI for just sitting behind the wheel with the keys in the ignition.
Most states have a zero tolerance policy for underage drinking, and this can cause your teen to lose his license for up to a year. Much worse is the possibility of being involved in a drinking-related accident that results in injuries or fatalities.
Make sure your teen driver knows the dangers and the consequences of driving while intoxicated, and can recognize developing situations and peer pressures that might tempt him to drink and drive. And if he does find himself in a situation where he’s had a few drinks, let him know he can call you for a ride home—no questions asked, and no repercussions.
3) Night Driving
Highway driving at night, especially amid truck traffic, can be a frightening experience. A new driver might have difficulty properly gauging distances at night, and the myriad lights around him can lead to confusion. If your teenager is not paying attention, he could easily get into an accident.
Make sure your teen has adequate experience driving at night—on the open highway, within the city, and in rainy conditions.
4) All-weather Driving
As part of their training, your teen should have had the opportunity to drive in varied weather conditions. It’s a good idea, however, to check him out in these conditions to make sure he knows how to handle them.
- Driving in rain presents several problems. Visibility decreases, so teach your teen to slow down accordingly. In light rains, roads can become slick as water lifts and suspends oil from the road’s surface. Heavy rains can flood roads and lead to hydroplaning. Teach your teen the importa