Putting the Brakes on Your Teen’s Speeding Habit

Many teen drivers have a habit of speeding. Slowing them down is crucial for keeping them alive as they learn to drive. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death and serious injury for teenagers. In 2016, 2,433 teenagers died and 292,742 required treatment in hospital emergency rooms following a crash. Nationwide, drivers between the ages of 16-19 are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal car accident. Speeding is a factor in approximately 31% of all teenage driving accidents which means slowing your teenage driver down can help keep them safe and out of the statistical calculation.

TECH TO SLOW TEENS DOWN

New technology can help you limit your teen driver’s ability to speed. You can connect systems such as those produced by Derive which can limit the vehicle’s ability to drive past preset speed limits. Chevrolet and many other vehicle manufacturers also offer technology that allows parents to limit a teen driver’s speed on the road. Vehicle manufacturers such as Volkswagen offer apps that provide parents with real-time data on their teen’s driving habits including where they go, how fast they travel, and whether or not they obey posted traffic laws. Hyundai, GM, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, and other automakers offer similar applications.

TEACHING AND MODELING GOOD DRIVING HABITS

Teens watch their peers and parents and learn from them. They will adopt similar driving behaviors and patterns. This is why it is crucial for parents to model safe driving behaviors long before handing over the car keys. Passing a driver’s safety course in high school can help teenage drivers understand the rules and risks of the road. However, it’s not as effective as witnessing years of safe driving behaviors modeled for them. In particular, following posted speed limits and understanding the consequences that can happen if they drive faster than the law allows.

Finally, when teens break the law and get a ticket for speeding, parents shouldn’t bail them out. Paying the fine and losing the keys for a period of time can help put the brakes on bad behaviors before they lead to a serious accident with a potentially permanent result.

Contact Sloat, Nicholson and Hoover, P.C. at (303) 447-1144 for more information about speeding and motor vehicle accidents in Boulder. We are always happy to answer your questions and help you take steps to keep the drivers in your family out of an accident.