3 Common Distractions for Teen Drivers (And How Parents Can Prevent Them)

There’s no denying that, in this day and age, distractions are everywhere—even in places you don’t necessarily want them to be, such as while you are driving. The easiest way to prevent distractions behind the wheel is to learn safe driving techniques from a young age.

If you are a parent with a newly licensed teen driver, it’s important to remember that they don’t have the same level of skills or experience that you may have behind the wheel. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drivers aged 15-19 are more likely to die in distracted driving accidents than drivers over the age of 20.

Knowing the most common distractions teen drivers face can help parents prevent distracted driving and keep teens safe on the road. Here are three common distractions you should familiarize yourself with.

Cell Phones

This one is fairly obvious. Nearly all teens have a smartphone within arm’s reach, and it can be tough for them to ignore their phone when they see their screen light up or hear the phone ping with an incoming text message. A poll conducted by AAA showed that, while 94% of teen drivers acknowledge the dangers of texting and driving, 35% admitted to doing it anyway.

As a parent, here are some steps you can take to prevent your children from using their cell phone while driving:

• Talk to them about the dangers of distracted driving and cite statistics.
• Make sure they are aware of texting and driving laws.
• Set a good example by putting your phone away while driving.
• Set consequences and enforce them.

Distracting Passengers

Many teens are eager to drive around with their friends once they acquire a driver’s license. However, it’s important to note that passengers can distract teen drivers from focusing completely on the road.

Teens may have lapses in judgment and pressure the driver of the vehicle to speed, drink and drive, or otherwise partake in negligent driving. The best solution for this is to ensure that your teen driver does not have any passengers during the first year after getting their license.

Sound Systems

Yes, tunes can be a distraction in the car, especially for teen drivers! For instance, having to change the radio channel, change the volume, or pick a song on their smartphone to play can lead them to take their hands off of the wheel and their eyes off of the road.

Encourage your teen driver to always set up their sound system before heading on the road. That way, they are not fumbling with it while they are trying to focus on driving.

Was Your Teen Injured in an Accident?

We know from experience that even the safest drivers can be injured in accidents caused by other careless, negligent, or reckless motorists. If you, your teen driver, or another family member was injured in an accident caused by another person, you deserve the compensation you need to recover.

At Fowler | Helsel | Vogt, our Fresno car accident attorneys have decades of legal experience fighting on behalf of those injured across Northern California. You have our word we will fight hard to ensure you and your family receive the best possible outcome.

Contact our firm at (559) 283-8091 to get started with a free consultation.