Young drivers who have just recently been placed behind the wheel are at risk to be involved in a car crash. With a few helpful tips and some common sense, teens don’t have to end up a driving statistic.
Cell Phones
Young drivers tend to be distracted by cell phones while driving. Even with adults that know better, it is hard to resist that text or phone call. So inexperienced teen drivers that have grown up around mobile devices face an even bigger challenge. Another big distracting factor is also changing the music from the Bluetooth devices.
Driver Inexperience
According to AAP News & Journals, drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are three times more likely to become involved in a collision on the roads today. Frightening statistics come during the “100 deadliest days,” also known as the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day. It is known that the average number of teen driver accidents rises 15% in comparison to the rest of the year.
Those who received their license in the past six months are at the highest risk due to their inexperience on the roads. When people first pass their test, they tend to remain nervous while driving, meaning that they make mistakes and hesitate in emergency situations.
With that in mind, the best thing young people can do is increase their experience by driving with experts until they build their confidence levels. This creates a slight buffer in allowing reassurance that if need be, the expert can take over the wheel or give direction if needed. 
Teen Passengers
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention experts, the crash risk for young people increases if they have their friends in the car. The basic rule of thumb is that the more teen passengers in a vehicle, the higher the risk for driving errors. These errors tend to result from distractions, so young drivers will benefit from driving by themselves or with an adult for the first six months, allowing for an adjustment period.
It is important not to make the mistake of allowing four other teenagers into the car and then blasting music, because it is likely that the driver will become distracted and make errors. Teen drivers should always wait until they have lots of confidence before carrying passenger.
Alcohol-Impaired Driving
While teens are prohibited from consuming alcohol in the State of Texas, many still participate in underage drinking. According to MADD, about a quarter of car crashes with teens involve an underage drinking driver. As you know, it is not recommended to drink if you intend to get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.
It is crucial that if you notice someone is in a poor state of mind, you must not allow them to drive. Even if they think they can have a beer or two without being over the limit, it is sensible to avoid all forms of alcohol and anything that causes inebriation.
To all parents: teenagers are still not completely developed and will make lousy decisions here and there, but despite their choice to participate in drinking, it is imperative that you outline a plan for what they should do if they are incapable of driving safely.
Most teens are too scared to ask for help when they need it, which is the root of the problem. Parents need to make sure that there is a plan for all realistic problems that may arise with their teenager drinking and driving.
Stay Focused Behind The Wheel
Now that you know a little more about the dangers young drivers face and the primary causes for the accidents in which they become involved, you can educate your teens and ensure they stand the best chances of staying safe.
Young distracted drivers risk more than an increase in their insurance fees if they crash and injure someone. In extreme cases, it is possible for people to go to jail and face life long consequences. It is imperative that teen drivers and parents take these facts seriously and act on them.
Jeff Davis is Here 4 You!
We at Davis Law Firm want to make sure all teens are driving as safely as possible. This means staying focused and limiting distractions to prevent possible accidents. If you find yourself injured in an accident, you can always contact us at (210) 444-4444, (956) 444-4444 or (361) 444-4444. Davis Law Firm is here 24/7 for you!