Common sense and statistics show that teenagers have a higher risk of getting into a fatal motor vehicle accident. However, there are some specific things teenagers can do while driving in order to limit those car accident risks to a minimum. Many of these safe driving practices will sound obvious to the average adult, but it is important that teens are told how to drive safely by a well-intentioned role model. Indeed, education is key when it comes to accident prevention and the information may even save your loved one’s life.
Driving the speed limit is one thing that teenagers can do to stay safe. This sounds obvious, but some teens feel pressure from their friends to drive over the speed limit. It is important that teenagers know that speeding will increase their likelihood of being in a car crash, and they should avoid speeding at all costs. Some circumstances may even require driving below the posted speed limit — like bad weather, nighttime driving or during congested traffic conditions.
Teens should also be sensitive to avoiding distractions while driving. Talking on the cellphone, texting, eating or talking with passengers is something all drivers should avoid, especially teens or may not be entirely comfortable behind the wheel yet. During the first year that a teen is driving, it is also advisable that he or she refrain from driving with fellow teen passengers in order to limit the potential for distractions.
Finally, do whatever you can to convince your teenager to use his or her seat belt. If an accident does happen to occur, a seat belt may be your teenager’s only chance for survival. Indeed, the car accident survival rate is dramatically higher for those who use a safety harness.
Families of teens who have been killed in a car accident as a result of another driver’s negligence or unlawful practices may have viable wrongful death claims. If successfully navigated, such a case could be a way for a family to seek financial restitution and closure relating to their loved one’s loss. While no amount of money could ever right the wrong of losing a loved one in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, pursuing a wrongful death claim could be a vital part of one’s grieving process.
Source: TeenDriverSource, “Car accident prevention” Oct. 14, 2014
