Keep Your Teen Safe on Washington Streets: Tips for Parents

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on December 24, 2012

Learning to drive is a major rite of passage into adulthood for many Washington teens, but it also increases their risk of suffering injury in a car accident. Because teens lack experience behind the wheel, they are more likely to make the wrong choice in a split-second emergency decision, increasing their accident risk.

Parents can help their teens get driving experience in a safe way and reduce the risk of car accidents by implementing a few simple tips.

• Increase experience. Because experience is key to safe driving, you may wish to extend your teen’s supervised driving time beyond the hours required by Washington’s graduated driver program. Added hours of nighttime driving and driving in bad weather can also help your teen practice important safe-driving skills.
• Set the ground rules – and follow them. Requiring seat belts, prohibiting cell phones or texting behind the wheel, and limiting the number of passengers allowed can all help your teen avoid dangerous distractions and protect him or her in a crash. Follow these rules yourself for best results; studies show that kids tend to practice – or ignore – the same safe-driving behaviors their parents do.
• Agree on the consequences. You and your teen should not only agree on what the safety rules are, but also what the consequences will be if the rules are broken. For instance, banning video games or time with friends may be appropriate consequences for your teen.

If you or someone you love is injured in a car accident, the experienced teen auto accident attorneys in Washington at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. can help. Don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more. Our number is (888) 228-3860, and your call is free and confidential.