Safe driving for teens

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Driving and teenagers; Teens and safe driving; Automobile safety - teenage drivers

Learning to drive is a major rite of passage for teens (and their parents). It's a time of exciting possibilities and achievements. It's also a time of grave risk.

Driving is fatal for almost 50,000 Americans every year. People between 15 and 24 years old (especially males) have the highest rate of auto-related deaths, even though people in this age group may be smart, skilled, and have great reflexes. A collision is the most likely tragedy to kill or cripple a teenager.

In addition, automobile accidents are a leading cause of death in infants and children. (See infant and child car seats.)

Cars have many important safety features -- seat belts, shoulder straps, headrests, air-bags, padded dashes, safety glass, collapsible steering columns, anti-locking breaks, and a host of other less-recognized improvements.

Regardless, reckless driving still proves a danger to teens.

All new drivers should take a driver's education course. These courses have been proven to reduce accidents, but they are not enough. Teens often feel like serious accidents will not happen to them. Thankfully, smart teens can take steps to tilt the odds in their favor.

• After dark. Automatic reflexes and driving skills are just developing during the first months of driving. Darkness is an extra variable to cope with.
• When driving with friends. Teens are safer driving by themselves or with family. They should drive as much as possible with an experienced driver, who can help develop good driving habits. As tempting as it may be, new drivers should wait until they have a consistent, safe driving record before taking friends as passengers. Friends, to the new driver, are a big distraction and a significant liability. (This liability may extend to the parent.)
• With recreational driving. For the first 3 to 6 months after obtaining a license, new drivers should try to gain their experience driving for school and work, not for fun.
• When not buckled-up . Use safety gear like a pro.
• When drowsy . Anyone who is sleepy should stop driving until fully alert. Sleepiness may cause even more accidents than alcohol!
• After drinking alcohol. Drinking slows reflexes and impairs judgment. These effects happen to anyone who drinks. So, NEVER drink and drive. ALWAYS find someone to drive who has not been drinking -- even if this means an uncomfortable phone call!
• After use of marijuana or any other illegal drug or any prescription drug that is sedating. Drugs can be just as dangerous as alcohol.
• When distracted. Use of cell phones, eating, drinking, or putting on makeup while driving are dangerous for all drivers.