Driving is a milestone for many teens in the United States, bringing freedom and independence. However, motor vehicle crashes are also the leading cause of death for teens. As exciting as driving may seem, it requires responsibility, caution, and focus behind the wheel.
Parent rules for teenage drivers
Setting clear rules and expectations is key to keeping teen drivers safe. Some effective parenting strategies include:
- Establish a curfew for nighttime driving. The majority of teen crashes occur at night, likely due to increased distractibility and drowsiness. A 10 pm curfew is a reasonable starting point.
- Implement a graduated licensing system. In most states, teens get an intermediate license around 16 years old, with restrictions such as no teenage passengers until 17. As a parent, you can impose even stricter limits during the first six months, like a zero-tolerance policy for breaking traffic laws.
- Enforce a ban on phone use. Cell phones are a dangerous distraction for all drivers, especially inexperienced teens. Consider apps that limit phone access while driving.
- Require seatbelt use at all times. Seatbelts save lives, and following this rule consistently reinforces safe driving habits.
- Limit the number of teenage passengers. The risk of a fatal crash rises dramatically with each additional passenger, especially other teens. One or no teen passengers is best during the early solo driving months.
- Set clear consequences for breaking the rules. Taking away driving privileges, increasing supervision, or limiting weekend activities are effective consequences parents can enforce. Consistency is key to shaping responsible behavior.
Driving safety rules
In addition to parental limits, all new drivers should familiarize themselves with basic safety rules:
- Obey the speed limit. Speeding increases the risk of losing control and the severity of crashes. Traffic laws exist to keep all road users safe.
- Allow extra braking distance. Weather, cargo, and inexperience require extra following distance in case brakes need to be applied suddenly.
- Avoid distractions. This includes cell phones, passengers, food, and changing the radio. Driving requires full attention on the road.
- Wear a seatbelt. Seatbelts save over 14,000 lives annually in the U.S. and are legally required for good reason.
- Get sufficient rest. Drowsy driving impairs reaction time, similar to drinking. Teens especially need 7-9 hours of sleep per night to drive alert.
- Use turn signals. Signaling intentions avoid surprises and helps ensure the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles.
- Scan the road ahead. Check mirrors regularly and scan 10-15 seconds ahead for potential risks or unexpected actions by other road users.
Mastering these basic habits is essential for new drivers to recognize and properly respond to hazards that can lead to accidents. Consistently practicing safety boosts teen driver confidence over time.
Safe driving tips for new drivers
Beyond rules, here are additional actions new drivers can take to minimize risks:
- Drive in good conditions. Begin solo drives during daylight hours, with good weather and light traffic. Rush hour and night driving require more experience.
- Choose low-traffic routes. Back roads and side streets initially have fewer distractions than busy highways or roads with high speed limits.
- Adjust the seat and mirrors properly. An ergonomic seating position allows drivers to fully control the vehicle and see clearly in all directions.
- Plan extra travel time. Leave early to avoid rushing, stress and impatience that can impair good judgement.
- Limit multitasking. No eating, chatting extensively with passengers or fiddling with controls until becoming a more experienced, focused driver.
- Slow down near intersections. A disproportionate number of teen crashes occur at or near intersections when failing to heed other vehicles or traffic signals.
- Avoid tailgating. Maintain at least a three-second following distance to see the road ahead clearly and leave room to brake smoothly for any sudden moves by the vehicle ahead.
- Back out of trouble spots. If an unsafe situation arises, like backing up at an intersection or changing lanes unsafely, do not hesitate to correct it, even if that means waiting longer.
Following these tips fosters awareness and respect for road conditions that can sneak up on new drivers. Practicing in low-risk environments builds solid driving skills.
Rules for new drivers over 18
While 16- and 17-year-olds still require supervision, drivers ages 18 to 20 are regarded as adult drivers. However, this group faces unique risks as well, so certain rules still apply:
- Avoid driving late at night, especially on weekends. The majority of fatal crashes involving 18- to 20-year-olds occur between midnight and 5 am on Friday and Saturday nights.
- Carry no more than one passenger under 21, if any. Peer pressure in a vehicle loaded with teens or young adults increases dangerous and distracted behaviors behind the wheel.
- Enforce a zero-tolerance policy for impairment. Alcohol, drugs, and fatigue diminish driving significantly for all age groups, but especially those lacking experience.
- Always wear seatbelts and ensure passengers do too. At nearly 275 pounds each, unrestrained human bodies become high-speed projectiles in crashes, putting all in the vehicle at risk of injury or death.
- Do not accelerate or brake aggressively. Reckless maneuvers are a leading cause of single-vehicle crashes involving 18- to 20-year-old males showing off for friends.
- Follow the speed limit and traffic laws scrupulously. Getting tickets or involved in violations prolongs the already longer insurance periods and higher rates young drivers face.
While newfound independence comes at 18, continuing to exercise maturity, responsibility, and safety-first decisions when driving helps 18- to 20-year-olds avoid needless risks on the road.
Parental reasons why 16-year-olds should not drive
As exciting as the prospect of driving appears, there are sensible reasons why parents may decide their 16-year-old is not ready or should face further restrictions:
- Neurological development of the prefrontal cortex, involved in judgment and risk assessment, continues into the mid-20s. Younger teens simply do not process some situations as quickly or prudently.
- Crash rates are highest during the initial months and years of solo driving, with the least experience behind the wheel. Starting later at a more mature age provides a safer learning period.
- Peer pressure in vehicle of teens is a major contributing factor to distracted and reckless behaviors like speeding, aggression and not wearing seatbelts.
- Commutes often involve highways and high-speed roads that are too complex for beginning drivers who still need practice in lower-risk environments first. Public transportation remains a viable option.
- Later high school exams and extracurricular activities being juggled with a job may overload a young person not developmentally ready to also manage solo driving responsibilities reliably.
- Insurance rates during the earliest years of licensure remain exorbitantly high. Delaying solo operations cuts major expenses that could fund further driving lessons or vehicle expenses instead.
Forcing the issue of licensure rarely strengthens a parent-teen relationship either. Waiting until 17 allows most teens to drive legally supervised without endangering themselves or others needlessly on the road. Mature, level-headed discussions help all parties find reasonable solutions.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about teen driving safety issues:
What age causes the most accidents?
Teen drivers ages 16-17 experience the highest crash rates per mile driven of any group. This is largely due to their lack of experience and exposure to high-risk scenarios, which other older age groups have learned to handle proficiently, like driving at night or in adverse weather conditions with passengers.
What is the greatest danger factor for teen drivers?
Having multiple teenage passengers greatly increases teen driver risks. Research shows the fatal crash risk rises linearly with each additional teen passenger. Peer pressure can encourage distractions and risky behaviors behind the wheel. Driving solo or with only one adult passenger is safest during early licensure years.
What is the biggest factor leading to teen crashes?
Inexperience and overconfidence are two major contributors. Many teens do not realize how driving situations can change rapidly and require quick, mature judgment. Teen drivers also tend to take more risks, such as speeding, due to a still-developing prefrontal cortex and a desire to impress peers. Sober, focused practice under low-risk conditions like daylight hours is optimal.
Why are teen drivers more at risk than older, more experienced drivers?
Whereas mature drivers have learned to smoothly handle complex traffic conditions through years of practice, teens lack that experience in recognizing hazards and executing proper evasive maneuvers. Tiredness and emotional factors also influence teen judgment more than older, wiser drivers. Gradual licensure programs and limits are aimed at providing structured practice to help bridge this experience gap safely.
How many accidents are caused by 18-year-olds?
In the U.S. in 2018, nearly 9,000 accidents were caused by teen drivers ages 18-19, resulting in over 2,000 deaths. This age group experiences a higher crash rate than drivers 20 and older due to factors like immaturity, risk-taking behaviors, and lack of experience handling complex road situations independently compared to more mature drivers. The crash risk for 18-19-year-olds is nearly twice as high as for adult drivers aged 20-59. While 18-year-olds are legally considered adults, their brains are still developing important judgment and decision-making skills. Continuing to practice low-risk driving habits can help save lives in this high-risk age group.