Road to Responsibility: Life-Saving Rules Every Teen Driver Must Know

October 23, 2024 | Article by Chain | Cohn | Clark staff

Road to Responsibility: Life-Saving Rules Every Teen Driver Must Know

Motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of deaths for U.S. teenagers 15-18 years old. In fact, more than 2,500 people were killed in 2022 (the latest statistics available) in crashes involving a teen driver, of which more than 800 of those deaths were a teen behind the wheel.

In California, young drivers were involved in nearly 12% of all fatal crashes in 2022 despite accounting for only 5% of all licensed drivers in the United States, according to California Highway Patrol. Simply put, a teen’s inexperience behind the wheel makes them more susceptible to crashes.

Teen Driver Safety Week — observed this year from Oct. 20–26 — is an opportunity to encourage parents and caregivers to talk with teens about following the rules of the road and how safe driving can help save lives.

In particular, teen drivers and their caregivers should focus on these areas of driving safety:

  • Seat Belt Usage: Emphasize that buckling up is non-negotiable. In 2022, half of the passengers killed in cars driven by teens were not wearing seat belts, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Teen drivers and passengers are more likely to die in a crash if they are unbuckled (9 out of 10 of the passengers who died were also unbuckled). Empower teens to stand strong and confirm everyone is buckled before the vehicle moves.
  • Impaired Driving: Stress the illegality and dangers of driving under the influence. A shocking 22% of teen drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2022 had been drinking, according to NHTSA. Alcohol isn’t the only substance that can keep teens from driving safely: marijuana affects a driver’s ability to react to their surroundings. Remind teens that driving under the influence of any impairing substance — including illicit or prescription drugs, or over-the-counter medication — can have deadly consequences.
  • Distracted Driving: Highlight the risks of using phones or engaging in other distracting activities while driving. About 10% of teen drivers in fatal crashes were distracted at the time of the incident, NHTSA says. Texting while driving is outlawed in 49 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Remind teens about the dangers of using a phone while driving and clarify that any phone use (texting, talking, recording video, or using any social media apps) is unacceptable. Even if they are stopped at a light, remind teens that posting on social media while driving is unacceptable and illegal. Distracted driving isn’t limited to cell phone use. Other passengers, audio and climate controls in the vehicle, and eating or drinking while driving are all examples of dangerous distractions for any driver. According to the most recent data available, in 2021, among teen drivers of passenger vehicles involved in fatal crashes, 7% were reported as distracted at the time of the crash. Remind teens that headphones are not appropriate to wear while driving a vehicle. All drivers need to be able to hear another vehicle’s horn or the siren from an emergency vehicle, so they can safely move over and out of the path.
  • Passenger Limitations: Explain why limiting the number of passengers is crucial for new drivers. Research shows the risk of a fatal crash dramatically increases in direct relation to the number of passengers in a vehicle. The likelihood that a teen driver will engage in risky behavior triples when multiple passengers are in the same vehicle. Many states have graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws that restrict passenger numbers for teen drivers.
  • Speed Management: Discuss the importance of obeying speed limits. Nearly one-third of teen drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2022 were speeding, according to NHTSA. Data shows that males were more likely to be involved in fatal speeding-related crashes than females. Practice driving with your teen in different types of weather and talk about the importance of speed awareness in changing road conditions. Remind teens to always drive within the speed limit.

Parents, caregivers and adults should also keep these points in mind as well:

  • Graduated Driver License: As mentioned above already, “GDL” laws set limits on teen drivers for safety. In California, there are restrictions on driving late at night during the first year they have a license. Learn about all of the GDL laws in California here.
  • Lead by example: Practice safe driving yourself. You’re a role model — when a teen driver sees you obeying the rules of the road, they get the message. Also, have practice driving sessions with your teen.
  • Set ground rules: No cell phones, no passengers, no speeding, no alcohol, no drowsy driving, and always buckle up. No keys until they know the rules. Establish consequences you will enforce if your teen breaks the rules. One suggestion is to draw up a parent-teen driver agreement — a contract that spells out hours the teen may drive, who pays for the gas and insurance, rules for major driving distractions such as passengers, and anything else the parent wants to include.
  • With driving comes great responsibility: Remind your teen that driving requires your full attention. Texts and phone calls can wait. Teach them about zero-tolerance laws, and the consequences they face for driving after drinking or using drugs. Urge them to never ride with someone who has been drinking or using drugs.

In recent years, Chain | Cohn | Clark awarded drivers education scholarships as part of the new “Guided Partners in Safety (GPS) Scholarship” program aimed to support a new generation of teen drivers, build guided partners in safety, and help pay for student driver’s education training, while keeping safety at the forefront.

Lastly, Law Office of Chain | Cohn | Clark has advice in the case you or your teen are involved in an auto accident. Remember to take the following 3 steps if you have been involved in an automobile accident or motor vehicle accident:

  1. Obtain the name, address, insurance information, vehicle identification number (VIN) and driver’s license number of any and all persons involved in the accident, as well as the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all witnesses.
  2. Make sure that a report is filed with the police, sheriff, or highway patrol, but DO NOT talk to anyone else (especially insurance adjusters) about the accident or sign anything without first consulting an attorney.
  3. Seek medical attention immediately and explain to your physician or surgeon all of the symptoms and complaints you have been feeling since the accident occurred.

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If you or someone you know is injured in an accident at the fault of someone else, or injured on the job no matter whose fault it is, contact the attorneys at Chain | Cohn | Clark by calling (661) 323-4000, or fill out a free consultation form, text, or chat with us at chainlaw.com.