Florida Teen Driving Safety Tips
reviewed for Accuracy
The content on this page has been produced and reviewed in accordance with our editorial guidelines. This content has been reviewed and approved by founding Personal Injury Attorney Jack G. Bernstein who has over 40 years of legal practice experience.
As teen drivers take to the roads, parents worry about how to keep them safe. As a parent, you may be wondering what to do to make Florida teen driving safer for your child. While teen driving can be especially dangerous during the summer, safety is an important consideration to make year round. Here’s what you need to know, and tips to keep teen drivers safe, from our Miami car accident attorneys.
What Percent of 16-Year-Olds Get into Car Accidents?
As many as 20 percent of 16-year-olds get into car accidents in their first year of driving. Crash rates increase as teenagers drive at faster speeds over the speed limit. According to dosomething.org, 40 percent of teenage crashes occur at night.
What Are the Risks Involved in Teenage Driving?
The risks involved in teenage driving include inexperience and a high rate of accidents. Teen drivers often lack the experience to respond to unusual situations on the road. In addition, they may be more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors than other drivers.
What Are the Leading Causes of Teenage Car Accidents?
The main causes of teenage car accidents are speeding and reckless driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that speed is a factor in 32 percent of fatal crashes that involve teenage drivers. Not only are teenagers more likely to engage in risky behavior than other drivers, but they’re less likely to be able to react effectively when sudden emergencies happen on the road. Driving at night is also a leading contributor to teenage car accidents.
Why Do Teenage Driving Accidents Increase in the Summer?
Teenage driving accidents increase in the summer for many reasons. In the summer, teens are more likely to drive to unfamiliar locations. They may be more likely to transport passengers. They may stay out later than they do during the school year. An increase in road construction can also surprise drivers of all ages and lead to an increase in traffic crashes. All of these factors can work together to increase teenage car accident injuries in the summer.
What Can You Do to Keep Your Teen Driver Safe?
Here’s what you can do to keep your teen driver safe on the roads:
- Talk to your teen. When parents talk to their teenagers about safe driving, teens are less likely to engage in risky behavior on the road. NHTSA reports that when parents talk to teens, they’re less likely to speed and more likely to wear their seatbelts. Talking to your teenager can help them understand the dangers associated with careless and reckless driving.
- Create rules for your teen. Several risky behaviors are common when it comes to teenage accidents. As a parent, you can create rules for your teen. Things like banning cell phone use while driving, limiting the number of passengers in your teen’s vehicle, and limiting night driving to work purposes only can help keep your teen safe on the roads.
- Track it with an app. There are apps that you can put on your teen’s phone that can tell you about their driving habits. Apps can track speed, hard braking, and cell phone use while driving. When your teen knows that you’re monitoring their behavior, they may choose to drive safely.
- Set zero tolerance for drinking and driving. Teenagers shouldn’t drink alcohol at all. And there’s no reason that a teen should ever get behind the wheel with bodily alcohol content. Teenage drunk driving can result in tragic accidents, criminal charges, and license suspensions. Make it clear to your teen that drinking, including drinking and driving, is unacceptable under any circumstance.
- Set an example. Your teen is looking to you for an example of how to behave on the roads. When you practice safe driving, your teen learns from you. Watch your speed, avoid aggressive driving practices, and always wear your seatbelt. Your teen is learning from you.
- Ease into night driving. Driving at night takes practice and skill. Spend some time driving with your teen at night. Ease them into driving at night with increased practice and positive feedback.
Encourage questions. As your teen learns safe driving behavior, they need to know that it’s okay to speak up. Encourage your teen to tell you if they have questions or concerns about driving. When you have an open dialogue, you can address any issues that arise before they have a chance to create a problem.
Do Driving Laws Apply to Teens?
Yes, driving laws apply to teens. When a teenager violates a traffic law, they may receive a ticket or a misdemeanor charge. There are also additional traffic laws that apply to teenagers. Most states have zero tolerance laws for teenagers who drive with bodily alcohol content. In addition, many states use a probationary period for new drivers. If a teenager gets a driving offense on their record, they may have a waiting period before they’re eligible to apply for a full driver’s license.
Can a Teen Be Responsible for an Accident?
Yes, a teen can be responsible for an accident. The same car accident negligence laws that apply to adult drivers also apply to teens. If a teen violates a traffic law and causes an accident, the teen may be liable to the victims for the damages that result. Teens are subject to the same mandatory insurance laws that apply to other drivers. Insurance should be one source of compensation when a victim gets hurt because of the actions of a teenage driver.
Contact Our Attorneys for Car Accidents For Florida Teen Drivers
Have you been in an accident? Was a teenager involved? Our car accident attorneys can help you when you suffer from any type of accident.
Whether you’re a teen or an adult, when you’re in an accident, you have rights. Financial compensation can be a welcome relief when you have mounting medical bills, missed work, and piling expenses to manage daily life. Our attorneys are here to help. Contact the Bernstein & Maryanoff Injury Attorneys legal team today for a friendly consultation about your case.
