Talking With Your Teen About Driving Risks
It’s almost prom season. Formal dress shops and tuxedo stores will be flooded with teenagers who are dreaming of their special day and your son or daughter will probably be discussing prom attire with you – and trying to figure out how to make you pay for it. Undoubtedly, you love your children and even as your teen grows, you only want the best for him or her.
However, this special occasion should also be triggering a different kind of conversation between you and your teen. Most teens who are headed to prom are of an age where they are legally able to drive. And even if your teen heads to prom in a limo or party bus, there is a good chance that at some point during the night of experiencing the post-prom shenanigans that will inevitably happen, either your teen or one of your teen’s friends will end up driving.
Therefore, as the realistic parent of a teen you love, now is the time to discuss with your teen the ins and outs of what he or she should know about driving. And specifically, now is the time to discuss what he or she should do if things go wrong. While no parent wants to contemplate that their child could ever be harmed, we all know that car accidents are a possibility for any of us any time we enter a vehicle.
Why Should I Make an Effort to Have This Kind of Conversation With My Teen?
Because driving carries serious risks for teenagers. According to the Center for Disease Control, car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in this country. And as safe of a driver as he or she may be, there is always the potential for something to go wrong with the driver of a car your teen happens to be riding in, or even the car itself. Therefore, it is best to establish an emergency plan for your teen driver in case he or she is ever involved in a crash.
What Aspects of Driving Should I Discuss With My Teen?
Have a Discussion About Forming Good Habits.
- Talk about abiding by the law. This includes explaining the importance of seatbelt use, speed limits and traffic signals.
- Emphasize how important it is to refrain from texting and using social media while driving. Set a good example by refraining yourself.
- Discuss why drinking and driving don’t mix. Even if you don’t think your child would ever experiment with alcohol, you should not underestimate the power of social pressure for teenagers.
Discuss the Aspects of Driving Your Teen Can’t Control.
- Point out Florida’s unpredictable weather. Heavy rain showers can begin quickly out of nowhere. Talk about the dangers of losing traction and hydroplaning and explain that it’s best to wait out a storm, if possible.
- Explain that other drivers can be one of the biggest risks on the road. The people we share the road with can be just as unpredictable as Florida’s weather. Talk about the signs of an impaired driver and explain that your teen should avoid vehicles that are driving erratically.
Explain What to Do in the Event of an Accident.
- Make sure your teen understands that in the event of an accident, he or she should call 9-1-1 before doing anything else, and that includes calling you.
Allow Us to Help.
If your teen driver has been injured as the result of someone else’s negligence, we can help. Contact the experienced Orlando car accident attorneys of The Pendas Law Firm today and we will help you recover the compensation you are entitled to.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Daytona, and Bradenton areas.
Resource:
cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/teen_drivers/teendrivers_factsheet.html
