Can parents influence the driving behaviors of their teenage children? What can parents do to help reduce the number of fatal crashes involving teen drivers?
Vehicle accidents involving teenage drivers have risen in recent times nationwide. Based on federal statistics, teenagers have a higher rate of being involved in car crashes – including injuries and deaths - compared to adults. For 16-year olds, the crash rate is almost double that of 18 and 19-year olds and 10 times the rate for adult drivers.
According to state records, in California, teenage drivers 15 to 19 years old were involved in nearly 526 fatal collisions and 33,174 collisions that resulted in injury.
Accident Factors
The contributing factors in car and vehicle accidents vary but for most teenage drivers involved in crashes, studies show revealed the following causes:
• Lack of experience and inadequate skills
• Risk-taking behavior and aggressiveness
• Poor judgment
• Distractions such as cell phone use and alcohol use
• Low risk perception
• Not using seat belts
This alarming record is a cause for concern of many Californian parents despite California being one of the first states to implement the graduated driver licensing law in 1998, which included passenger restrictions for teen drivers. The law was further enhanced with addition of other provisions such as a one-year driving curfew between 12 am and 5 am (expanded to 11 pm in 2007), increase in mandatory provisional period from one to six months and a requirement for parent certification of 50 hours of supervised practice, including 10 hours at night.
Parent-Teen Communication
Studies show that children often emulate the behavior of their parents. This applies also with driving behaviors where parents must set a good example. In most cases, parents as role models must show their children the following good driving practices, which young children are likely to imitate:
• Refrain from driving after drinking an alcoholic beverage.
• Use seat belts, lap belt or lap and shoulder belts, or any safety equipment when driving
Communication between parent and children regarding road safety and proper driving behavior is a vital key toward minimizing road accidents involving teen drivers.
For instance, a parent may talk to his/her teen about the dangers of driving distractions such as using the cell phone while driving, reading, eating, searching for music or having intense conversation with colleagues. He/she can also tell the children how he/she feels about drinking issues or using drugs and what he/she expects from them.
According to a federal survey, parent-teen communication played an important role in reducing incidents of fatal crashes recently. The federal survey also revealed the following facts:
• That teens or young drivers want their parents to talk to them about drinking and driving.
• That drinking occurred most frequently at a friend’s home, parks, beaches, or bars.
A parent may also discuss with the teen driving what to do in the following situations:
• When your teen is being offered to be driven home from a party by a friend who is drunk or under the influence of drugs
• When a date becomes intoxicated at a party and insists on driving
• When your teen is riding in a car with older teens who is into drugs and offers your teen
• When your teen has taken alcohol but afraid to drive home and does not know if he/she should call you
In addition to this, a parent may also guide his teen on how to acquire his teen’s provisional driving permit. However, teen drivers under 18 years old who have a provisional permit are allowed to only when accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.
To learn more about the laws governing teen drivers, both parent and teen must consult with a knowledgeable attorney who can educate them on issues regarding the safety and responsibility of a motorist.
