One of the first rites of passage for many teenagers is to obtain their driver's permit. After a few classes, most 14- and 15-year-olds can get their permit to drive with their parents. Once they turn 16, they can drive alone. According to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death in teenagers. While many teens follow through with safe driving habits, others need to be reminded of the dangers of not abiding to the rules while driving.
Driving Experience
One of the best ways for teenagers to become better drivers is to have more experience. A student driver with their level one learning permit is legally able to drive with another adult 21 years of age or older. The more they drive, the more they will feel comfortable behind the wheel. Teenagers should be encouraged to drive with an adult at night, in poor weather conditions and in heavy traffic. Parents and adults should emphasize safety tips along the way to help them get used to high-pressure driving situations such as checking mirrors, remaining calm and noticing their blind spots.
Distractions
For teenagers to drive safely, they must be free of distractions. This means that they need to turn the radio down, stop texting and talking and stay focused on the road. According to Allstate, up to 56 percent of teenagers surveyed used their cell phones while driving on the road. Getting at least nine hours of sleep each night is also important for optimal teen health. Sleepy teen drivers can be just as dangerous on the road as a drunk driver because their ability to make split second judgments is impaired.
Passengers
Having additional passengers in the vehicle (such as other teenage friends) can be a safety hazard because they can be a distraction. The young driver may be talking or paying attention to them and fail to focus entirely on the road ahead. Limiting passengers for the first year of driving is recommended.
Graduated Driver's Licenses
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, many states have established a tiered driver's license program for young drivers. During their classroom training, teens can receive a level one driving permit from the secretary of state to drive with an adult. After the teenage driver completes their segment two driver's education and road test, they then obtain a level two license. This license allows them to drive alone for 12 months, but they have a curfew that in many states is midnight to 5 a.m. If under 18, their parents still have the right to revoke their license without warning. The next step is a level three license. This type of license has no restrictions. Drivers will hold this vertical license until they reach 21 years of age. The vertical license is easily identifiable from the horizontal license that drivers over 21 carry.
Parental Involvement
Another key to safe driving with teenagers is parental involvement. Parents who know where their kids are, and who they are with, help enforce discipline and make teenagers more responsible. If you feel that your teenager is still not ready to drive alone, seek more help. Have them take another refresher course in driver's training or attend an online class.
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