Single-Vehicle Crashes: More of 16 year-olds' fatal crashes
involve only the teen's vehicle. Typically these are high-speed crashes
in which the driver lost control.
Passengers: Sixteen year-olds' fatal crashes are more likely
to occur when other teenagers are in the car. The risk increases with
every additional passenger.
Alcohol: Although this is a problem among drivers of all
ages, it's actually less of a problem for 16 year-olds. Thirteen
percent of fatally injured drivers in 1998 had positive blood alcohol
concentrations (BACs). Only 8% had BACs of 0.01 % or greater.
Night Driving: This is a high-risk activity for beginners.
Per mile driven, the nighttime fatal crash rate for 16 year-olds is
about twice as high as during the day.
Low Belt Use: Teenagers are generally less likely than adults
to use safety belts.
What Parents of Teenagers Can Do
Don't Rely Solely on Driver Education
High school driver education doesn't produce safer drivers. Poor
skills aren't always to blame for teens' crashes. Their attitudes and
decision-making skills matter more. Peer pressure influences them more
than advice from adults. Training and education don't change these
tendencies.
Restrict Night Driving
Most nighttime fatal crashes among young drivers occur between 9:00
PM and midnight. Outings late at night tend to be recreational. In
these circumstances, even teens who usually follow all the rules can be
easily distracted or encouraged to take risks.
Restrict Passengers
Teen passengers in a vehicle can distract a beginning driver and/or
lead to greater risk. Almost two of every three teen passenger deaths
(62%) occur in crashes with a teen driver. The best policy is to
restrict teen passengers, especially multiple teens, all the time.
Supervise Practice Driving
Plan a series of practice sessions in a wide variety of situations,
including nigh driving. Give beginners time to work up to challenges
like driving in heavy traffic or on the turnpike. Supervised practice
should be spread over at least six months and continue even after a
teenager graduates from a learner's permit to a full license.
Remember…You Are A Role Model
Teens with crashes and violations often have parents with poor
driving records.
Require Safety Belt Use
Seat belt use is lower among teenagers than older people. Insist on
belts all the time.
Prohibit Driving After Drinking
Make it clear that it's illegal and highly dangerous for a teenager
to drive rafter drinking alcohol or using any other drug. While alcohol
isn't a factor in most crashes of 16-year old drivers, even small
amounts of alcohol are impairing for teens.
Choose Vehicles for Safety, Not Image
Teenagers should drive vehicles that reduce their chances of a
crash and offer protection in case they do crash. For example, small
cars don't offer the best protection in a crash. Avoid cars with a
performance image that might encourage speeding. Avoid trucks and sport
utility vehicles - the smaller ones, especially, are more prone to roll
over.
Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety