Teenage drivers have a bad reputation. People tend to talk about teen drivers as though they are particularly unsafe, even though many drivers make poor choices in traffic occasionally. There is a degree of truth underlying the cultural bias against young drivers. The biggest concern is often their lack of experience. People need hundreds of hours of driving time before they become truly competent and confident drivers. Teens lack experience, which is perhaps the one universal factor shared by all young drivers.
Some teen drivers are incredibly cautious, while others may be somewhat reckless. Just being young does not automatically mean a driver is unsafe. There are often secondary factors in play when teenagers end up involved in collisions. The three factors below are among the biggest safety concerns for new drivers.
1. Driving after dark
Many of the worst crashes involving people of all ages occur after the sun sets. Lack of visibility, driver fatigue and more impaired motorists are all safety concerns after dark. Statistically, many of the worst collisions involving teenage drivers occur at night time. Parents worried about a teen driver’s safety may want to limit a youthful driver’s time on the road in the evening.
2. Distraction at the wheel
Obviously, texting while driving or using social media can be a bad decision for people of all ages. However, teen drivers are particularly susceptible to distraction because they have grown up with technology and place high levels of importance on their social relationships. Even when they avoid using devices at the wheel, they may be at risk of distraction when they have other teen passengers in their vehicles. Frequently, the worst crashes involving teenage drivers occur when they have multiple other young adults in the vehicle with them.
3. Regulatory infractions
Traffic safety laws exist to diminish the risk of a wreck. Teen drivers lack the experience to handle increased risk proficiently, making rule violations particularly dangerous for them. Many tragic teenage car crashes involve the young adult under the influence of alcohol, exceeding speed limits or failing to use safety restraints as required by the law.
Parents who set good examples and consistently enforce certain traffic safety rules can help limit the chances of a teenage driver causing a car crash. Young adults often require regular reminders and clear enforcement of rules to internalize those standards for their own safety.
