Being a parent often means making difficult decisions for your children. Sometimes, this could mean sacrificing something you want to do to make sure that your child’s needs are met. Other times, it can mean telling your teenager “no” when he or she really wants to go hit the road.
As a parent, you want to keep your child safe and help him or her reach the age of majority. Unfortunately, many teenagers die in cars every year. This is especially true during the summer. Educating yourself and your teen about best practices for safe driving can help ensure you have a fun summer instead of a tragic one.
Pay attention during the 100 Deadly Days of Summer
According to the National Safety Council, teen driving deaths spike during the summer. Memorial Day is when this upward trend kicks off. As schools let out, more youthful drivers are on the road. Your teen may want to go to the beach with friends or may need to get to work.
Regardless of why teenagers are on the road more, their increased driving also leads to an increased risk of a crash. Thankfully, so long as you take certain steps, you can help your teen stay safe on the road and minimize the risk of a fatal collision on Illinois roadways.
Set safety rules for your young drivers now
Younger drivers during the summer are more likely to have several friends in the vehicle with them. Because they do not have school in the morning, they may also be on the road much later in the evening. Then, there’s the risk of parties that include alcohol and drugs. Combine that with the lack of inclement winter weather, which can lead teens to speed on the road, and it is a perfect storm of dangerous driving conditions.
One of the best things you can do is ensure that your teen driver knows the biggest risk factors for crashes. These include chemical impairment, distraction and exhaustion. Driving home after work or a party while feeling tired is risky. The same is true of getting behind the wheel after having experimented with drugs or having a few alcoholic beverages. Distraction in the form of a cellphone or other people in the car can also keep young drivers from focusing on the task at hand.
While it may not be fun to set limits and discuss risk factors with your young drivers, educating them is an important step toward reducing the risk of collisions on the road. During the 100 days that begin with Memorial Day, teams will be at increased risk of a fatal collision. The best thing that you can do as a parent is help your child learn to minimize risks on the road as soon as possible.