What Teen Drivers Need to Worry About

Teenage drivers safety tips and resources

Teenagers are often eager and excited to learn how to drive because this skill usually gives them new independence. Although learning to drive is a rite of passage, teens must also learn about the dangers involved with driving and the responsibilities that go with this privilege. Car crashes are the top cause of death among teenagers in the United States.

In fact, the fatality rate for teen accidents is highest for 16- and 17-year-olds during the first six months after acquiring a driver's license. Safe driving skills must be an integral part of every teenager's driving curriculum. After a teen passes the road test, parents must continue to supervise driving, and they should insist on teens driving in a safe and responsible manner.

Parents should supervise their teen drivers until they develop good driving skills and act responsibly behind the wheel.  (Image by Pixabay.com)

Parental influence in teen driving

Parental influence can play a key role in the overall safety and responsibility of teen drivers. Approximately 66 percent of teenagers report that they care about parental opinions regarding use of cell phones while driving. More than 50 percent of all teens receive some driving instruction from parents.

Because teenagers have the lowest usage rates for seat belts, parents can have a positive influence with teenagers regarding the use of seat belts. Nearly two out of every three teenagers killed in automotive accidents was unrestrained. Substance abuse while driving is another danger for teenagers. Teens are less likely than adults to drive while intoxicated. However, when they do drive under the influence, they have a higher risk of accidents due to their lack of driving experience.

Pass Your Road Test

• Driver Education Resources: Students wishing to test for a driver's permit can find information from resources listed on this Web page. 
• Teen Driving Tips: Find Cheap Car Parts Online: Teens need extra help to become safe drivers, and they can find helpful information on these websites. 
• Tips for Teens on Driving and Discount Auto Parts: Teens studying for the road test can gain valuable information by visiting the websites included in this list of resources. 
• Suppliers: Open-Source Ecology: Peruse an extensive list of suppliers included in this resource list. 
• Mazda Club Articles, Stories, and Parts: Members of a Mazda club share information in the form of articles and stories. 
• The Parts of a Car and How They Move Us: Understanding how a car works with its various parts can be a fascinating study.

Safe Driving

• Useful Links: Cheap Car Parts Online and More: The Institute of Advanced Motorists supports safe driving by providing this list of resources.
• Vehicle Safety Tips and More: Drivers often strive for both safety and economy when operating motor vehicles.
• Be Part of the Fight Against Auto Pollution: All drivers can take steps to reduce auto pollution by changing driving habits to lower gas consumption and by choosing vehicles with less negative impact on the environment. 
• List of Favorite Links: An educator with the University of Michigan has published a list of valued resources. 

Drunk Driving

• Automotive Body Repair: Randolph Community College teaches students about automotive body repair to prepare for careers in this field. 
• Automotive Trades: Auto Body Repair: Students can attend Erie Community College to participate in a program of auto body repair. 
• Automotive Collision Repair Technology: The Francis Tuttle Technology Center prepares students for careers in automotive collision repair.