Summer driving tips for teens and parents
Check out these summer driving tips from Drive Smart Georgia to keep your teen safe during the lazy, carefree days of Summer 2023. So, why is summer so dangerous for teen drivers?
Summer can be a blast for young people as they say goodbye to tests, projects, and mountains of homework. They suddenly have a ton of free time, which is a good thing for stressed-out teens. It can also be a bad thing in terms of being safe on the road. In the summer, teen drivers are not just driving to and from school. It may also be the first time they drive on the highway or with their peers in the car.
The most dangerous time of the year for teen drivers kicks off on Memorial Day and lasts through Labor Day. Because more car accidents happen during this time of year, it has its own name: “the 100 deadliest days of summer.” According to AAA, over 30% of deaths involving teen drivers occur during the summer months.
So, what’s a concerned parent to do?
How can you keep your teen driver safe during Summer 2023? Some parents are confident and ready for their teens to drive on their own. Many are worried that their new driver is still a little shaky and inexperienced to make wise driving decisions. Rest assured worried parents. You have a few options to help keep your teen driver safe.
Summer driving safety tips for teens and parents
Limit their driving: Teen drivers average 44% more hours behind the wheel each week during the summer (23.6 hours) than during the school year (16.4 hours). Do not hesitate to limit their driving until you are comfortable with cutting them loose.
Discourage “piling in”: 23% of teen drivers are more likely to drive with three or more teens in the car in the summer, compared to 6% who are more likely to do so during the school year. This skyrockets the chance of your young person having an accident by more than 40% with just one passenger being in the car with them. There is nothing wrong with extending the 6-month law that enforces a Georgia teen driver cannot have peer passengers in the car until six months have passed.
Don’t text your teen: If you want to text your child while they’re driving – don’t do it. Most teens report that if they do text, it’s to respond to a parent’s text. 16% of all teen drivers involved in fatal crashes were distracted. Texting or talking on the phone – combined with the inexperience of a new driver is a recipe for disaster. Sign a parent-teen driving agreement that sets family rules against distracted driving.
Limit late nights: 72% of all teens report that they stay out later during the summer than during the school year. Additionally, 47% of teen drivers are more likely to drive late at night during the summer, compared to 6% who are more likely to drive late at night during the school year. Again, just because they are eligible to stay out late at night doesn’t mean they should!
More Lessons: Does your child need more in-car lessons with a professional? They might seem expensive. However, if you spent extra money and saved your teen’s life, would you even think twice about the added expense?
Think hard and drive smart during the 100 deadliest days for teens!
Summer driving tips for road trips
Travel is in high demand during Summer 2023. If you’re planning to drive to your vacation destination, here are seven driving tips from American Safety Council.
- Travel earlier or later in the day to avoid congestion and reduce stress.
- Drive the speed limit to keep your family safe and to prevent getting a speeding ticket.
- Prepare for traffic backups by using an app like Google Maps or Waze to find a faster route when traffic is snarled.
- Inspect your tires. Heat causes tires to expand. There is a risk of a blow out when there is too much pressure. Checking the pressure and tread before leaving home reduces blow out risk.
- Be sure to check your fluids like washer fluid and engine coolant. If it’s time for an oil change, get one before hitting the road.
- Keep your car from overheating. One of the biggest frustrations of driving in the summer is when your car gets overheated. This is when your car is low on engine coolant, the electric fan stops working, you have a bad radiator or a clogged one, or the fan belt is broken. Have all of these checked out before your big trip.
CLICK HERE to get our free newsletter and teen driving tips for parents.
Related articles:
- Teen driver dangers multiply during ‘100 deadliest days’
- IPDE defensive driving saves young lives
- What is Joshua’s Law? A guide for parents to limit teen driver dangers