As a mother, one of your worst fears is probably your driving teenagers getting into a car accident. You can do your best to teach them to drive safely, but ultimately it’s up to them to be responsible behind the wheel.
It’s a scary thought, but there are steps you can take to help prevent accidents. Though, of course, you can’t be with them every time they get in the car, here are some car accident prevention tips all moms should know.
Teach Your Children About The Dangers Of Distracted Driving
This is one of the most important car accident prevention tips for all moms to know. Distracted driving is any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road. This can include things like talking on the phone, texting, eating, drinking, talking to passengers, fiddling with the radio, and more. As a parent, you should set a good example by not engaging in distracted driving yourself. Be sure to have conversations with your kids about the dangers of distracted driving and why it’s so important to pay attention to the road when behind the wheel. This is one of the best ways to help prevent car accidents.
Make Sure Your Driving Teenager Is Getting Enough Sleep
Fatigue is a major cause of car accidents, especially among young drivers. According to the National Sleep Foundation, teenagers need between 8 and 10 hours of sleep every night. However, many teens do not get enough sleep on a regular basis. The National Sleep Foundation reports that only 15 percent of high school students sleep for 8 hours or more on an average school night. This lack of sleep can lead to drowsy driving, which can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. If your teenager is tired, make sure they take a break from driving. They can switch with another driver or take a nap before getting back on the road.
Educate the Teenagers To Always wear their safety belt
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that injuries are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States. In 2013, 2,163 teenagers were injured in a car accident. Wearing a seatbelt is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent injuries and fatalities in car accidents. The NHTSA reports that in 2013, 1,174 teenage drivers who were injured in car accidents were not wearing seatbelts. Make sure your driving teenager always wears their seatbelt when they are driving, and set a good example by always wearing your seatbelt as well. This is one of the most important car accident prevention tips for teenage drivers.
Drive The Speed Limit
speeding is one of the leading causes of teenage car accidents. Obeying the speed limit and driving the posted speed limit will help to prevent your teenager from getting into an accident. The speed limit is there for a reason – to keep drivers safe. The faster you drive, the more likely you are to get into an accident. It’s also important to note that speeding tickets are expensive and can lead to your teenager’s license being suspended. This is why it’s so important to make sure your teenager understands the importance of obeying the speed limit. It could save their life.
Use Your Turn Signals
Another important car accident prevention tip is to use your turn signals. This lets other drivers know what you are doing and helps to prevent accidents. For example, if you are going to turn left, you should always put your signal on so that the driver in the lane next to you knows what you are doing. The last thing you want is for someone to rear-end you because they were not expecting you to turn. It’s also important to use your signals when you are changing lanes. Again, this gives other drivers an idea of what you are doing and helps to avoid accidents.
Train For Poor Weather Conditions
As a mom, one of the best things you can do to prevent your driving teenagers from getting into a car accident is to train them to drive in all kinds of weather conditions. This means teaching them how to drive in heavy rain, snow, and even on icy roads. By preparing them for these conditions, you’ll help them be better equipped to handle them if they ever encounter them while out on the road. The last thing you want is for your teenager to get into an accident because they weren’t prepared for the weather.
It is clear that car accidents are a leading cause of death and injury for children in the United States. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent all accidents, there are a number of steps parents can take to help keep their children safe on the road. By following these car accident prevention tips, moms can help keep their kids safe and reduce the risk of serious injury or death in the event of a crash.
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