As another school year starts, more teens will pull up to school in their first car or sign up for driver's training. Driving schools are a great method for teaching teens, but it also starts at home. Besides the always stated “no texting while driving, no speeding, focus on the road, etc.” there are other aspects of driving that parents should be informing their teens about before they go out on the road.

Yes, speeding is one of them. Speeding can be a problem with many drivers, not just teens. With texting while driving and drinking while driving are concerns, it's actually speeding that causes the most one-car fatal accidents. In fact “All State Insurance estimates that 40% of the 5,000 to 6,000 teen deaths a year are caused by speeding” (Teen Drivers Making Common and Fatal Mistakes, Sharon Silke Carty, http://autos.aol.com/article/teen-drivers-making-common-and-fatal-mistakes/). Talk with your teen about speed limits, they're there for a reason: to secure their own and others' safety.

Another common cause of teen accidents, they didn't see it coming. There's an obstacle in the road and by either not allowing enough to stop or swerving a driver can potentially cause an accident. You may have received different advice, but “some professional driving instructors say that drivers shouldn't swerve when animals enter the road. They should brake hard, and keep in their lane. The dangers of swerving to avoid an animal too often result in dangerous accidents,” (Teen Drivers Making Common and Fatal Mistakes, Sharon Silke Carty, http://autos.aol.com/article/teen-drivers-making-common-and-fatal-mistakes/).

Another concern is in the event of losing control, looking where they shouldn't. Focusing on the light pole, tree or divider a driver is approaching will potentially cause him/her to go in that direction causing an accident. Being aware of what is happening when out of control of the vehicle is important, but focusing on the object they may come in contact with could end up being fatal. According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), “the number of the fatal single-vehicle accidents involving teens is 50%”. Attempting to stay calm as possible and knowing when/where to swerve will help prevent your teen from having a one-car accident.
 

Lastly, even though it may seem like it shouldn't need to be said anymore; wearing a seat belt. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 76% of teens regularly wear a seatbelt. However; 58% of teens who die in car accidents in 2006 (most current year numbers are available) were not wearing seatbelts. Always wearing a seatbelt will help protect your teen from fatal injuries in the result of an accident.

New drivers are not bad drivers; they simply need experience and guidance. Talking with your teen about safety and monitoring their driving habits will allow you to feel comfortable with your child out on the road and protect him/her from serious dangers.