Did You Know It’s National Teen Driver Safety Week?

For many teens, driving is an exciting experience. It can mean more independence and freedom. It also means more responsibility. If you have a teen, it is important that you talk to them about teen driver safety. If you have been waiting for the perfect time for the conversation, wait no longer! October 17-23, 2021 is National Teen Driver Safety Week. That means it is time to have conversations with your teens about the important rules they need to follow to stay safe behind the wheel. Below, we will provide the safety rules to discuss with your teen.

We hope your discussions during National Teen Driver Safety Week help your teens make safe driving choices. If a driver injures you or a loved one in a car accident, contact an experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer will help to protect your rights and ensure you receive maximum compensation.

Anthem Injury Lawyers in Las Vegas has a dedicated team of lawyers and staff ready to help you win your personal injury case. Insurance companies are not motivated to pay you significant compensation. You need an experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer to fight for you. Our firm offers a proven track record of winning car accident cases just like yours for top compensation. Our personal injury lawyers offer over 25 years of experience winning compensation in personal injury cases. This is the exact experience you need to be in the best position to win what you deserve as a car accident victim. See how Anthem Injury Lawyers will put you in the best position to win your Las Vegas car accident case. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 to schedule a free consultation.

The Scary Truth About Teen Driver Fatalities

It can be scary to be a teen driver. There is so much to learn and pay attention to while driving. Being a teen driver (or a parent of a teen driver) is even scarier when one considers the following:

• Out of all the age groups, the risk of motor vehicle crashes is highest among teens aged 16 to 19.
• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens aged 15 to 18 in the United States.
• In 2019, there were 2,042 people killed in crashes involving a teen driver, of which 628 deaths were the teen driver.

Teen driving is dangerous. As a parent, you want to protect your teen. So, what can you do to help them be a safe driver? One of the most important things you can do is to speak with your teen about safe driving. A good place to start the discussion is with the below safety rules.

Safety Rules to Discuss With Your Teen

During National Teen Driver Safety Week (and every week) it is important to discuss safe driving rules. These rules address the greatest dangers for teen drivers and include the following;

• Alcohol
• Seat belt use
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Speeding

Alcohol

You should talk to your teen about the dangers of drinking and driving. Remind your teen that it is illegal for them to drink until they are 21 years of age. You should also remind them that drinking and driving is a dangerous and potentially deadly decision. In 2017, almost one out of five teen drivers involved in fatal crashes had been drinking.

Underage DUI

Did you know that your teen can get a DUI? In Nevada, it is illegal for drivers under 21 years of age to have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .02 or higher. This standard is much stricter than that for drivers over 21 years of age.

Seat Belt Use

Did you know that over half of the passengers killed in cars driven by teen drivers in recent years weren’t buckled up? Everyone should wear a seat belt every time they are in a vehicle. It does not matter where people are sitting.

You should talk to your teen about the importance of seat belt use. Buckling up can reduce their risk of dying or being seriously injured in a crash by 50 percent. You should also be a good role model when you are driving. Make sure that you do not start the car until all passengers have put on their seat belt. Making seat belt use a habit helps to ensure consistent seat belt use.

Wearing a seat belt is also required by law. In Nevada, the seat belt laws apply to drivers and passengers aged 6 and older in all seats.

Distracted Driving

The teenage years are a time filled with distractions—from music, to friends, to the latest app. Teenagers are especially prone to distractions while driving. Distracted driving is anything that takes your attention from the task of safe driving. It can include any of the following:

• Talking
• Texting
• Eating
• Drinking
• Talking to others in the vehicle
• Adjusting the stereo
• Using the navigation system
• Fixing hair or makeup

In recent years, about 10 percent of all teen drivers involved in fatal crashes were distracted at the time of the crash. Talk to your teen about the importance of focusing on driving whenever they are behind the wheel. You can also limit distractions by requiring your teen to use the “do not disturb” function on their phone. You should also set a good example for your teen by avoiding distractions. Distracted driving is dangerous for everyone, not just teen drivers. Be a role model behind the wheel.

Drowsy Driving

Most teens do not get their recommended eight to ten hours of sleep every night. This can lead to drowsiness during the day. Being sleepy can impact every aspect of a teen’s life—from school to sports to work. It can even impact driving.

Drowsy driving is operating a motor vehicle while fatigued or sleepy. Driving while sleepy is dangerous for everyone on the road. Sleepy drivers:

• Have difficulty concentrating on the road.
• React slower to road hazards.
• Have trouble with decision-making.

Encourage your teen to get enough sleep. Help them establish a healthy sleep schedule. Talk to your teen about the dangers of drowsy driving. Encourage them to safely pull over and call an adult if they are experiencing any of the Danger Signs for Drowsy Drivers. For more information on drowsy driving, see our article: Do You Know How Drowsy Driving Is Deadly?

Speeding

Speeding is a safety issue for all drivers, especially teens. Speeding is a factor in nearly a third of all fatal teen driver crashes. You should talk to your teen about the importance of obeying the speed limit. Stay involved during their learning-to-drive process. Remind your teen to be especially careful during inclement weather, on winding roads, and in construction areas.

You may also want to hold off on buying your teen a new car. One study found that newly licensed teen drivers are more likely to speed in their own vehicle versus driving the family sedan.

EXPERIENCED LAS VEGAS PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS

We hope the above discussion helps you start a dialogue with your teen about safe driving. Unfortunately, even a cautious teen can be injured in a car accident. If your teen is injured in a car accident that is not their fault, they should contact the law firm of Anthem Injury Lawyers.

If your teen is injured in a car accident, they need the expertise that only a top personal injury lawyer can provide. Anthem Injury Lawyers have over 25 years of experience winning compensation in personal injury cases. Get the best car accident attorneys in Las Vegas on your side. We have won significant compensation for Las Vegas car accident victims, and we can help you win your case. Contact us to find out how our Las Vegas attorneys can give you and your loved ones the best opportunity to win significant compensation. Plus, you don’t have to worry about affordability, as our attorneys don’t get paid unless they win for you. Call Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.