Does your teen have a “lead foot?” Do they like to act “cool” or do they have a lot of extra-curricular activities and are crunched for time so they “step on it?” According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding was a factor in 31% of fatal crashes that involved passenger vehicle teen drivers in 2016. There is also evidence speeding behavior involving teen drivers increases over time, possibly as they gain confidence.
What can you do to keep your teen driver safe behind the wheel?
- Be involved in their learning process and monitor their driving behaviors. Talk to your teen about speeding and following the legal limits.
- Be a role model for your teen driver. Walk the talk and don’t speed!
- Be wise when choosing your teen driver’s vehicle. If possible, choose larger, newer cars rather than high-performance vehicles.
— Lisa Robinson is a senior program manager with the National Safety Council