According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, car accidents are the leading cause of death for adolescents in the United States. While this is a scary statistic, there are a number of steps you can take to encourage responsibility when your teen is on the road that are outlined in the guide below.

How to Help Prevent Teen Car Accidents

1. Set a Good Example

Children are influenced by their parents’ behavior, so be mindful of how you conduct yourself when driving with your teen. If you speed, run stop signs, text and drive, or break other basic safety rules, they may think it’s okay for them to do the same.

2. Enroll Your Teen in a Driving Class

Your child will benefit greatly from learning how to drive from a seasoned professional. In fact, one study from 2015 found that teens who had not completed a driver’s education class were 75% more likely to get a traffic ticket and 24% more likely to be involved in a fatal or injurious car accident. While the idea of teaching your child to drive may seem like a rite of passage, getting them expert help will keep them safer.

 3. Talk to Your Teen About Drinking & Driving

Be open with your teen about the dangers of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In addition to setting your own rules and consequences if they choose to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, make sure they know the severity of your state’s laws and penalties for DWI (in Texas, for example, a first-time DWI offender can face up to 180 days in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both).

Remind them that if they are ever in a tricky situation, they can call you at any time for a ride and you will be less angry than if they jeopardize their safety.

If you or your teen are involved in a car accident and believe that another motorist was at fault, contact Reed & Terry, L.L.P. in Sugarland, TX. For more than 25 years, these personal injury and auto accident lawyers have been helping clients receive the compensation they deserve for car wrecks, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and more. Visit their website to learn more about the firm. Call (281) 491-5000 to schedule a free evaluation.