Helping Your Teen Drive Safer
As school districts get ready for students to head back into the classroom for in-person learning, families all over California need to prepare their teen drivers for the commute to school. Before sending them out on the road, share these five tips to improve their driving:
1. Limit Distractions
Drivers of every age should learn to limit their distractions behind the wheel. From texting while driving to eating and drinking, activities that take five seconds could take you mentally and visually off the task at hand. Need tips for staying focused? Click here.
2. Passenger Etiquette
Although teen drivers in California are not legally allowed to have passengers under 21 (with a few exceptions), carpooling to work or activities may be inevitable. If your teen chooses to drive with their friends, have them be mindful of passenger etiquette. This may include having one person control the music, keeping all backseat hands and items in the backseat, and having conversations at appropriate volumes.
3. Managing Roadway Conditions
California may not have volatile weather patterns, but teen drivers should still be aware of how different factors can affect roadway conditions. High winds and rain can become dangerous for those who aren't comfortable or experienced in driving in them. Along with this, drivers should be mindful of construction zones and changing lanes, as these provide additional distractions and potentially dangerous circumstances.
4. California Road Rules for School Zones
As with most states, the California Department of Motor Vehicles outlines very specific road rules for driving near or in school zones. Here are a few of the most important to remember:
- The speed limit within 500 to 1000 feet of a school is 25 mph when children are present unless otherwise stated.
- All vehicles must stop when a school bus has lights flashing.
- You must obey the directions of crossing guards or safety patrols when driving around children/schools.
5. Keep a Level Head
Any teen (or parent) knows that keeping your emotions in check is difficult enough without adding a vehicle into the mix. However, teens should be mindful of how this affects their driving. Being sad, angry, or even just tired behind the wheel can have devastating consequences.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that over 91,000 crashes are caused each year by drowsy driving. On the other, the Insurance Information Institute estimates that approximately 56% of crashes involve aggressive driving.
One of the best ways teens can prevent accidents is to keep a level head and focus on the task at hand.
California Car Accident Attorneys
Sending your teen out on the road for the first time can be stressful for any parent, and we are committed to helping you keep their safety a priority. If you or your teen driver is involved in a collision on California roads, trust the team at Manning Law, APC to help you achieve the desired outcome.
Call (800) 783-5006 or fill out this form to get in touch with a member of our team.