Safe driving for teens

Definition

Learning to drive is an exciting time for teenagers and their parents. It opens up many options for a young person, but it also carries risks. Young people from ages 15 to 24 have the highest rate of auto-related deaths. The rate is the highest for young men.

Parents and teens should be aware of problem areas and take steps to avoid hazards.

Alternative Names

Driving and teenagers; Teens and safe driving; Automobile safety - teenage drivers

Information

MAKE A COMMITTMENT TO SAFETY

Teens also need to commit to being safe and responsible drivers in order to improve the odds in their favor.

  • Reckless driving is still a danger to teens -- even with automobile safety features.
  • All new drivers should take a driver's education course. These courses can reduce the risk of crashes.

Drivers and passengers should use automobile safety features at all times. These include seat belts, shoulder straps, and headrests. Only drive cars that have air bags, padded dashes, safety glass, collapsible steering columns, and anti-lock brakes.

Auto accidents are also a leading cause of death in infants and children. Infants and young children should be properly buckled into a child safety seat of the right size that is correctly installed in the vehicle.

AVOID DISTRACTED DRIVING

Distractions are a problem for all drivers. Do not use cell phones for talking, texting, or email when you are driving.

  • Mobile phones should be turned off when driving so you are not tempted to make calls, send or read texts, or answer the phone.
  • If phones are left on for emergency use, pull off of the road before answering or texting.

Other tips include:

  • Avoid putting on makeup while driving. Even when stopped at a light or stop sign, it can be dangerous.
  • Finish eating before starting your car and driving.

Driving with friends can lead to accidents.

  • Teens are safer driving alone or with family. For the first 6 months, teens should drive with an adult driver who can help them learn good driving habits.
  • New drivers should wait at least 3 to 6 months before taking friends as passengers.

Teenage-related driving deaths occur more often in certain conditions.

OTHER SAFETY TIPS FOR TEENS

  • Reckless driving is still a danger, even when using seatbelts. Do not rush. It is safer to be late.
  • Avoid driving at nighttime. Your driving skills and reflexes are just developing during the first months of driving. Darkness adds an extra factor to cope with.
  • When drowsy, stop driving until fully alert. Sleepiness may cause more accidents than alcohol.
  • Never drink and drive. Drinking slows reflexes and hurts judgment. These effects happen to anyone who drinks. So, NEVER drink and drive. ALWAYS find someone to drive who has not been drinking -- even if this means making an uncomfortable phone call.
  • Drugs can be just as dangerous as alcohol. Do not mix driving with marijuana, other illegal drugs or any prescribed medicine that makes you sleepy.

Parents should talk with their teens about "household driving rules."

  • Make a written "driving contract" that both parents and teens sign.
  • The contract should include a list of driving rules and what teens can expect if the rules are broken.
  • The contract should state that parents have the final say about the driving rules.
  • When writing the contract, take into account all of the driving issues that are likely to come up.

Parents can do the following to help prevent teens from drinking and driving:

  • Tell their teens to call rather than get in a car with a driver who has been drinking or when they have been drinking. Promise no punishment if they call first.

Some children continue to mix driving and drinking. In many states, the parent must sign for a teenager under 18 to get a driver's license. At any time before the 18th birthday, a parent can refuse responsibility and the state will take the license.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Teen drivers. www.cdc.gov/teen-drivers/about/. Updated February 27, 2024. Accessed June 19, 2024.

Durbin DR, Mirman JH, Curry AE, et al. Driving errors of learner teens: frequency, nature and their association with practice. Accid Anal Prev. 2014;72:433-439. PMID: 25150523 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25150523/.

Li L, Shults RA, Andridge RR, Yellman MA, et al. Texting/Emailing While Driving Among High School Students in 35 States, United States, 2015. J Adolesc Health. 2018;63(6):701-708. PMID: 30139720 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30139720/.

Peek-Asa C, Cavanaugh JE, Yang J, Chande V, Young T, Ramirez M. Steering teens safe: a randomized trial of a parent-based intervention to improve safe teen driving. BMC Public Health. 2014;14:777. PMID: 25082132 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25082132/.

Shults RA, Olsen E, Williams AF; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Driving among high school students - United States, 2013. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2015;64(12):313-317. PMID: 25837240 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25837240/.

Review Date: 4/28/2023
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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