5 Life-Saving Rules for the Road
As school breaks approach, new teen drivers will be out driving more, creating opportunities for preventable accidents. In Clark County, our bustling highways, busy intersections, and fast-moving traffic combine to create an environment where risks can emerge in moments. Combined with a new driver’s inexperience, the margin for error can become dangerously thin.
At Anthem Injury Lawyers, we’ve seen too many families impacted by preventable crashes. Luckily, most teen driving accidents can be avoided by instilling five fundamental safety habits in your young driver before they hit the road. These five guidelines are good advice for us all, but non-negotiable rules for our youngest motorists.
Rule 1: No Phones—Ever
By now, you already know how risky it is to text, talk, or scroll while driving. The statistics are staggering: texting while driving makes a crash 23 times more likely, a risk that multiples even further for inexperienced teen drivers. When you’re navigating Clark County’s busy streets, even a two-second glance at a phone means taking your eyes off the road for about five seconds, which is enough time to travel the length of a football field at 55 mph.
Teen drivers don’t yet have the muscle memory and situational awareness that comes with years behind the wheel, which means they need 100% of their attention on the road, 100% of the time.
Nevada enforces a strict ban on handheld cellphone use while driving, which includes texting and using mobile apps. But even beyond the legal consequences, there are real-world ramifications to using a cellphone while driving that could be life-altering.
The rule: All cellphones (including passenger cellphones) go in the glove box, the back seat, or on Do Not Disturb for every single trip. No exceptions for GPS, no “just this once” for an important text. If they need directions, they can pull over safely and get them.
The point: Their notifications can wait; their safety cannot.
Rule 2: Slow Down
Speeding is probably one of the most enduring safety issues for teen drivers, but in 2023, it was a factor in 34% of fatal crashes involving teen drivers aged 15-18. That’s a staggering percentage, especially in a busy metropolis like ours, where speed compounds every other risk factor.
Speeding increases the distance needed to stop a car while reducing reaction time to avoid a collision, and when you’re a young driver still learning to judge road conditions and anticipate other drivers, those extra seconds matter. Teens are more likely to speed and to allow shorter distances between vehicles, often due to inexperience and hubris
The speed limit isn’t a target. It’s the maximum safe speed under ideal conditions. In Las Vegas, where traffic is heavy, the appropriate speed is often well below the posted limit.
The rule: The speed limit is the law—follow it to be able to stop safely for the unexpected.
The point: Smart driving is about getting there safely, not quickly.
Rule 3: Buckle Up Every Time
In 2023, 53% of teen drivers who died in car crashes were unbuckled. This troubling statistic underscores how a simple action can mean the difference between life and death. Even more surprising, when an unbuckled teen driver is involved in a fatal crash, nine out of ten passengers who die are also unbuckled.
Seatbelts aren’t just a good idea. They aren’t just the law. They’re your teen driver’s first line of defense against fatal injury. Yet teens consistently have the lowest seatbelt usage rates of any age group. Whether that’s because they forget or because they feel invincible in their vehicles, it’s truly vital that they buckle up every single time they get in a car, regardless of who is behind the wheel.
And parents, don’t forget to lead by example and always wear your own seatbelt. Nevada law states that everyone in a vehicle must wear a seatbelt at all times.
The rule: The car doesn’t move until everyone is buckled up.
The point: A three-second click could save your life.
Rule 4: Avoid Distractions
Behind-the-wheel distractions extend far beyond cell phones and other devices. Research shows that teens engage in potentially distracting activities in 58% of their driving time, with the most common distractions being interactions with passengers, talking or singing, and external distractions.
In 2023, there were 3,275 people killed and an estimated 324,819 people injured in crashes involving distracted drivers. The problem is that new drivers don’t yet have enough mental bandwidth to handle much of anything beyond the basic task of driving.
Eating a burger, changing the music, applying makeup, or even animated conversations can all pull critical attention away from the road. Which is exactly why Nevada restricts drivers from carrying passengers under 18 (except family) for the first six months after licensing.
The car is not a social space. It’s a two-ton vehicle moving at high speeds, where split-second decisions matter.
The rule: No eating, no noise distractions, and no horseplay in the car.
The point: Driving should be boring and focused, not entertaining.
Rule 5: Never Drive Impaired
Nearly one in every three teen traffic deaths involves alcohol. In fact, teen drivers have a much higher crash risk than older drivers with the same blood alcohol concentration, even at BAC levels below the legal limit for adults.
Nevada has a zero-tolerance policy for drivers under 21. Any detectable amount of alcohol (a BAC of .02 or higher) can result in a DUI charge, license suspension, and serious legal consequences.
But impairment isn’t just about alcohol. Marijuana is the second most common drug associated with impaired driving and negatively affects judgment, coordination, decision-making, and reaction times. Even medications can impair driving ability in unexpected ways.
The rule: If you have consumed anything that affects your body or mind, you are not fit to drive.
The point: A safe ride home beats the alternative.
Conclusion
Emphasizing teen driving awareness provides a chance to keep young drivers safe, which requires vigilance, communication, and a strong commitment to these five fundamental rules. The statistics we’ve shared aren’t just numbers on a page; they represent real families who have experienced devastating losses.
Thankfully, the majority of teen crashes are entirely preventable. Establish rules like these as non-negotiables from day one, and give your teen the foundation they need to become a safe, responsible driver. Stay involved, have honest conversations, and lead by example every time you get behind the wheel. Your teen is watching.
If you have questions about Nevada’s driving laws or if your family has been affected by a teen driving accident, Anthem Injury Lawyers is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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