PROVEN LOCAL LAWYERS
HELPING YOU RECOVER

PROVEN LOCAL LAWYERS
HELPING YOU RECOVER

What are some ways to reduce your teen’s risk of a car accident?

by | Mar 28, 2019 | car accidents

Having your teenager get his or her Kentucky state driver’s license is an important milestone, but it may be frightening as well. There are many potential risks on the road that may lead to car accidents and injuries. Some teens have trouble understanding the seriousness of risky driving behaviors and may not think clearly before driving while distracted or impaired. However, there are some actions you may take to help reduce your teen’s risk of getting into a car accident.

According to the Kentucky Transportation Center, the 15-to-24 age group accounted for 16.5 percent of all fatalities in Kentucky traffic collisions in 2017. Additionally, 250 alcohol-related collisions involved teenage drivers. This means that drinking and driving may be a significant factor in your teen’s safety on the road. Giving your teen money for cab fare or encouraging him or her to call you for a ride may reduce his or her chance of getting behind the wheel while impaired.

There are other factors that may increase your teen’s risk of an accident. In some cases, younger drivers may not feel completely confident when driving during rush hour or at night. You may want to encourage more practice hours beyond those required for a driver’s license. Distracted driving due to eating, talking on the phone or texting is fairly common among younger drivers. You may want to strongly encourage your teen to switch his or her phone to “Do Not Disturb” mode while driving. Restricting driving to daylight hours may also be helpful.

This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal advice.