The school bell is ringing again-and with it comes early mornings, after-school practices, and teens hitting the road. If you’re the parent of a teenage driver, your biggest concern isn't just whether they make it to class on time-it's whether they make it there safely.
Car crashes are still the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S., and most of them are preventable. According to SafeKids.org , seven risky behaviors behind the wheel are claiming teen lives every day.
Ask yourself: Is my teen doing any of these?
1. Skipping seat belts
It seems simple, but it’s deadly. More than half of the teens killed in crashes weren’t buckled up.
2. Texting while driving
Just five seconds of distraction is all it takes. At 55 mph, that’s like driving blindfolded for the length of a football field. A quick reply isn’t worth a life.
3. Staying silent when scared
Half of teen passengers admit they’ve felt unsafe, yet many don’t speak up-sometimes even with their parents. Teach your teen to be vocal about dangerous driving.
4. Too many passengers
More friends in the car mean more distractions. With two or more passengers, a teen driver’s risk of a fatal crash can double or even triple.