Summer time Is Harmful for Teen Drivers—What Mother and father Can Do

Mother and father typically joke about their teenagers being a “hazard on the street,” however deadly motorized vehicle crashes are the main reason behind dying 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 nearly 3 times increased than that of drivers 20 and older. 

Summertime proves the very 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. 

Fortunately, there are methods for folks to raised safeguard their younger drivers. It begins with understanding why teenagers is usually a threat on the street after which placing security measures in place.

Why Teenagers Are at Better Threat for Automotive Accidents

Though a teen’s motor expertise could also be developed sufficient to acquire a driver’s license, their judgment behind the wheel is commonly a piece in progress. Youngsters 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 primarily based in Toronto.

As a result of the prefrontal cortex (liable 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 embrace dashing, tailgating, distracted driving (typically from know-how, music, or passengers), driving underneath the affect of gear, and inconsistent seat belt use. 

Teenagers typically lack the talents to make fast judgment calls, too, which could be exacerbated by sleep deprivation and excessive feelings, corresponding to stress, anxiousness, peer affect, Keshri shares. 

How To Assist Teenagers Keep Protected on the Highway

Mother and father can assist their teenagers keep safer on the street. Keshri suggests dad and mom set a strict know-how curfew at night time for distraction-free sleep. They need to additionally encourage them to make field respiration a routine to calm their nervous system earlier than driving. That entails inhaling via your nostril whereas counting to 4, holding your breath on a rely of 4, after which exhaling for a similar quantity.

These proactive measures can assist 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 embrace: normal driving guidelines, automobile tasks (who pays the upkeep prices and insurance coverage?), passenger restrictions, curfew, weather-related driving circumstances, and communication (i.e., how typically 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. 

Mannequin protected driving habits

Mother and father have to mannequin good driving habits. Keshri suggests creating routines within the automobile that focus on distraction-free driving, like switching your cellphone to Automotive Mode. 

Maria Wojtczak, co-founder of DrivingMBA, a nationally-recognized driving faculty primarily based in Arizona, agrees, including, “In case you don’t need your teen on the cellphone whereas driving, then you must keep off the cellphone as properly.”

Think about limiting passengers and nighttime driving 

In Australia, a focused regulation banned first-year drivers from driving at night time with a number of friends—a state of affairs that accounted for one-fifth of the nation’s site visitors fatalities. A 2024 research 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 12 months after acquiring a license. This may be helpful throughout the “100 Deadliest Days,” when teenagers are extra vulnerable to staying out late with friends. 

Deal with the automobile

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

The research reported automobiles that have been 6 to fifteen years outdated had a 19% higher likelihood of driver dying in a crash, whereas automobiles older than 15 years had a 31% elevated threat. This was in comparison with driving automobiles 5 years outdated or newer. The motive force’s age didn’t matter. Moreover, every driver help know-how put in decreased 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 coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) provides a listing of protected automobiles. After all, shopping for a brand new automobile might not be an choice. In that case, the researchers urge extra frequent upkeep to enhance the protection of the automobile.

Strive protected driving programs 

A driver coaching class can assist your teen acquire confidence by practising their expertise in a protected setting. Wojtczak says her courses deal with 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 resolution.

Set up 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 degree. Inform them they aren’t in bother and that you just’ve made errors whereas driving, too, and also you simply need 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. 

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