According to AAA, June begins the 100 Deadliest Driving Days for teenagers. Parents’ personal attitudes about their teenaged drivers have a large impact on the safety of these young people. Parents who actively set rules and boundaries – and follow up on them – have the safest teen drivers. Teenagers who say their parents are very aware of and monitor their driving:
- Cut their risk of drinking and driving
- Are 50% less likely to speed
- Are 30% less likely to use a cell phone while driving
Accident Statistics
Over the past five years, more than 1,600 people were killed in crashes involving inexperienced teen drivers during this deadly period.
Per AAA, 4,689 teenagers died in car accidents in 2016. These crashes are the leading cause of death for young people between 16 and 20 years old. Our very important message to you is: The parents who are most effective in curbing bad driving habits are those who enforce strict rules, but in a kind way.
Actions for Parents
A recent study by the Pediatric Association of America indicates that highly supportive parents who make few rules for their teen drivers and who trust them, rather than monitor and hold them accountable, are actually not effective at all in curbing teen driving accidents and deaths.
The facts of this study speak for itself. If there is a teenager in your life, please review your behavior and attitudes towards their driving, especially now as we head into the summer months.
Please, let’s not take our kids or their driving for granted. They need to know we are watching out for them. We do this best by being highly supportive, establishing clear driving rules and monitoring them closely. When it comes to our kids driving, we need to be good parents…not good buddies.
