Summer Is Dangerous for Teen Drivers—What Parents Can Do

Parents usually joke about their teenagers being a “hazard on the street,” however deadly motorcar crashes are the main reason for demise for U.S. teenagers. In 2023, it accounted for almost 50% of all teen deaths between the ages of 15-24. The deadly crash fee for 16- to 19-year-old drivers is sort of 3 times greater than that of drivers 20 and older. 

Summertime proves the best threat. The interval between Memorial Day and Labor Day is named the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers. Given these harrowing statistics, it’s time to cease dismissing teen accidents as a ceremony of passage. 

Luckily, there are methods for dad and mom to higher safeguard their younger drivers. It begins with understanding why teenagers could be a threat on the street after which placing security measures in place.

Why Teens Are at Greater Risk for Car Accidents

Although a teen’s motor abilities could also be developed sufficient to acquire a driver’s license, their judgment behind the wheel is usually a piece in progress. Teenagers are “wired to be bolder and underestimate threat due to their emotional immaturity, social pressures, and an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex,” says Vikas Keshri, MSW, RSW, a psychotherapist based mostly in Toronto.

Because the prefrontal cortex (accountable for decision-making) doesn’t end creating and maturing till the mid-to-late 20s, teenagers are sometimes related to numerous dangerous behaviors. These behaviors embody rushing, tailgating, distracted driving (usually from know-how, music, or passengers), driving beneath the affect of drugs, and inconsistent seat belt use. 

Teens usually lack the abilities to make fast judgment calls, too, which might be exacerbated by sleep deprivation and excessive feelings, comparable to stress, nervousness, peer affect, Keshri shares. 

How To Help Teens Stay Safe on the Road

Parents will help their teenagers keep safer on the street. Keshri suggests dad and mom set a strict know-how curfew at evening for distraction-free sleep. They must also encourage them to make field respiration a routine to calm their nervous system earlier than driving. That includes inhaling by your nostril whereas counting to 4, holding your breath on a rely of 4, after which exhaling for the identical quantity.

These proactive measures will help to reduce dangers, however there’s extra dad and mom can do. 

Create a parent-teen driving contract 

A parent-teen contract establishes expectations and teaches teenagers that “driving is a privilege, not a proper,” says Keshri, whereas contemplating the teenager’s needs, because it’s an settlement, not only a set of directions. 

Some concepts for a contract embody: normal driving guidelines, automobile obligations (who pays the upkeep prices and insurance coverage?), passenger restrictions, curfew, weather-related driving situations, and communication (i.e., how usually a teen wants to tell dad and mom of whereabouts). 

A contract ought to have clear, particular penalties for violations, together with lack of driving privileges or restrictions. 

Model secure driving habits

Parents have to mannequin good driving habits. Keshri suggests creating routines within the automotive that focus on distraction-free driving, like switching your telephone to Car Mode. 

Maria Wojtczak, co-founder of DrivingMBA, a nationally-recognized driving faculty based mostly in Arizona, agrees, including, “If you don’t need your teen on the telephone whereas driving, then you need to keep off the telephone as effectively.”

Consider limiting passengers and nighttime driving 

In Australia, a focused regulation banned first-year drivers from driving at evening with a number of friends—a state of affairs that accounted for one-fifth of the nation’s visitors fatalities. A 2024 examine discovered that this initiative greater than halved the focused crashes, casualties, and deaths amongst Australian first-year drivers.

It additionally had constructive spillover results, together with fewer early night crashes and a sustained discount in high-risk driving total. 

Wojtczak encourages dad and mom to have their teen drive solo for the primary yr after acquiring a license. This might be helpful throughout the “100 Deadliest Days,” when teenagers are extra vulnerable to staying out late with friends. 

Focus on the automotive

Operating a secure automobile is one other essential issue to remember. A brand new examine from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, printed in JAMA Network Open, discovered teenagers have been extra prone to drive automobiles older than 15 years and with fewer driver help applied sciences.

The examine reported automobiles that have been 6 to fifteen years previous had a 19% larger likelihood of driver demise in a crash, whereas automobiles older than 15 years had a 31% elevated threat. This was in comparison with driving automobiles 5 years previous or newer. The driver’s age didn’t matter. Additionally, every driver help know-how put in lowered the prospect of a deadly crash by 6%.

Researchers advise dad and mom to prioritize security options and driver help applied sciences within the automobile their teen drives. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives an inventory of secure automobiles. Of course, shopping for a brand new automotive will not be an possibility. In that case, the researchers urge extra frequent upkeep to enhance the security of the automotive.

Try secure driving programs 

A driver coaching class will help your teen achieve confidence by working towards their abilities in a secure setting. Wojtczak says her courses give attention to hazard recognition, automobile dealing with, velocity, and house administration to “enable college students to expertise conditions, make errors and study from these errors.” 

When selecting a driving faculty, she recommends visiting the college, asking questions, and making an knowledgeable choice.

Establish open, nonjudgmental communication

If a teen makes a mistake behind the wheel, Keshri says to stay calm and interact in dialog with them at eye stage. Inform them they aren’t in bother and that you simply’ve made errors whereas driving, too, and also you simply wish to take heed to their facet of the story. 

When dad and mom validate their teenagers’ experiences with out instantly providing options or criticism, they create a extra trusting, open relationship. 

Be affected person and attempt to benefit from the course of

Wojtczak says everybody learns to drive at their very own tempo, so it’s essential to not emphasize “eligibility” however readiness. 

Soon, your teen will likely be an grownup, and also you received’t get that point again. Wojtczak encourages dad and mom to not view instructing their teen to drive as a chore however as a possibility to spend 1:1 time with them.