For many teenagers, summer break marks a season of newly found independence and responsibilities like summer jobs, both of which often call for a new driver’s permit or license. For others on the road, though, summer break for students introduces a new level of risk. With more newly licensed or permitted teens behind the wheel during these months than most other times of the year, the potential for car accidents rises.
Why Teen Drivers Can Be a Greater Traffic Risk Than Others
The average teen driver who is hitting the road for what might be the first time this summer could pose a greater risk to other drivers due to:
- Lack of Experience: Most teenage drivers in the summer are still learning to recognize and respond to complex driving situations. They may struggle with judging distances, anticipating potential hazards, or making split-second decisions. This lack of experience often plays a role in car accidents involving teen drivers.
- Distracted Driving: Distractions behind the wheel, such as texting, talking on the phone, or managing in-car entertainment systems, are all too common among teens. They may also have their friends in the car, creating another layer of distraction that further reduces their focus.
- Overconfidence: Earning a driver’s license is a milestone that can lead some teens to feel overly confident in their skills. This overconfidence can lead to poor decision-making, such as speeding, tailgating, or ignoring traffic rules.
- Difficulty Driving at Night: Many teens enjoy driving to social events in the evening or at night, when visibility is reduced, and fatigue often sets in. These factors increase the likelihood of crashes, as teens often lack the experience to handle night driving challenges effectively.
Safety Tips for Other Motorists Around Teenage Drivers
Sharing the road with teen drivers requires an extra measure of caution. By following specific safety habits, you can reduce the risk of getting into a car accident with one of them.
Simple tips to share the road more safely with new teen drivers include:
- Maintain a Safe Following Distance: Keep a significant amount of space between your car and a teen driver ahead of you. New drivers are more likely to brake suddenly or make unexpected maneuvers, and a safe distance gives you more time to react.
- Be Patient: Avoid aggressive behaviors, such as honking, tailgating, or rapidly switching lanes, especially around teen drivers. Aggressive actions can fluster less experienced drivers, increasing the chances of them making a mistake.
- Stay Alert for Teen Drivers: Teen drivers can often be identified by hesitant driving behavior, frequent braking, or the presence of "learner driver" stickers or license plates. Be mindful when navigating around vehicles that appear to have a teen driver, especially in the summer when they are probably still very inexperienced behind the wheel.
- Avoid High-Traffic Areas at Peak Times: During summer, traffic congestion can increase near popular teen destinations, such as shopping malls and recreational centers. If possible, adjust your travel routes or timing to avoid these areas.
- Remain Cautious in School and Residential Zones: Teen drivers are more likely to be found in school zones, neighborhoods, and residential areas.
Safety Tips for Teen Drivers This Summer
Of course, new teen drivers can also benefit from learning some basic driving tips, such as:
- Eliminate Distractions: Teens should stay off their phones entirely and limit the number of passengers they take at a time, even if they are licensed instead of permitted. Headphones or other devices that reduce awareness of the road ahead should never be used while driving.
- Obey Traffic Rules: Follow all laws related to speed limits, stop signs, and seat belt use. Right-of-way rules should always be respected to avoid confusion and collisions at intersections.
- Practice Defensive Driving: Teenage drivers should encourage their friends to also practice defensive driving habits like anticipating the actions of other drivers, yielding when appropriate, and avoiding confrontations with aggressive drivers.
- Minimize Night Driving: Night driving can be particularly risky for inexperienced drivers. Teens should reduce nighttime trips until they gain confidence and experience in daylight conditions.
- Plan Routes in Advance: By knowing where they’re going ahead of time, new teen drivers in the summer can avoid last-minute lane changes or turns, which are common causes of accidents.
What to Do After an Accident with a Teen Driver
Even with the best precautions, accidents with new teen drivers can happen. When they do, knowing the right steps to take can make an important difference from the beginning.
If a teen driver ever hits you while you’re on the road, you should:
- Check that everyone is safe and call 911 if there have been serious injuries or significant vehicular damage.
- Exchange information with the teen driver. Be prepared to instruct them about what information you need from them because they likely don’t know.
- Ask the teen driver if their parent or guardian should be notified or if they will inform them on their own.
- Document the scene of the crash to get evidence. Photographs, videos, and statements from witnesses are all helpful.
- Seek medical attention even if you feel fine.
- Talk to an attorney about your options to pursue damages. Let them know that a new teen driver hit you, which might help them decide the best way to start their case investigation.
Call Hilliard Law for Teen Car Accident Claims in Texas
With our statewide resources and nationwide reputation, Hilliard Law is a top choice for people across Texas who have been in serious car accidents, including those caused by teenage drivers. We know that unique circumstances and challenges can come up when trying to file against a teen driver. For example, their auto insurance might be tied directly to the policy held by their parents. Figuring out liability can also be a hurdle because teen drivers might either struggle to remember what happened due to their inexperience behind the wheel or intentionally lie about what happened out of fear of punishment.
For a complicated car accident case in Texas that involves a teen driver, leave everything up to us. We know how to determine liability, handle insurance company communications, and pursue fair compensation for your losses, all while you rest and focus on recovering.
Contact us today for a free consultation—dial (866) 927-3420 at any time.