According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, teenage drivers are involved in more accidents than any other age group. In fact, per mile driven, they are nearly three times as likely as drivers aged 20 and over to be in a fatal crash. Despite these sobering statistics, many teenage drivers continue to make the same mistakes that lead to accidents, injuries, and even deaths even after learning at teen driving school.
If you are a teenage driver, or the parent of one, it is important to be aware of the most common mistakes made by teens behind the wheel. By avoiding these errors, you can help keep yourself and others safe on the road.
Common Mistakes:
1. Failing to Wear a Seatbelt:
One of the most common mistakes made by teenage drivers is failing to wear a seatbelt. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seatbelts reduce the risk of serious injury or death in a crash by up to 50 percent. Yet, many teens still choose to go without this life-saving piece of equipment.
Wearing a seatbelt may not seem like a big deal, but it can be the difference between walking away from a minor fender-bender and being seriously injured or killed in a more serious collision. Make sure you always buckle up before putting the car in drive.
2. Speeding:
Speeding is another dangerous behavior that is all too common among teenage drivers. According to the NHTSA, speeding was a factor in nearly 30 percent of all fatal crashes in the United States in 2017.
Many teens believe that they are better drivers than they actually are and that they can handle driving faster than the posted speed limit. Others simply want to get to their destination as quickly as possible and see speeding as a way to make up for lost time. Whatever the reason, speeding is a risky behavior that should be avoided at all costs.
3. Distracted Driving:
Distracted driving has become a serious problem in recent years, as more and more drivers are choosing to text, talk on the phone, or even use social media while behind the wheel. According to the NHTSA, distracted driving was a factor in nearly 10 percent of all fatal crashes in 2017.
Teens are especially vulnerable to distracted driving because they are more likely to use their phones while driving and are less likely to have the experience or skills needed to safely multitask behind the wheel. If you must use your phone while driving, pull over to a safe location first.
4. Driving Under the Influence:
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is one of the most dangerous things a teenage driver can do. According to the NHTSA, nearly 30 percent of all fatal crashes involve alcohol-impaired drivers.
Teens are especially at risk for drunk driving because they are more likely to underestimate the effects of alcohol, are more likely to take risks, and are less likely to have the experience or skills needed to safely operate a vehicle while impaired. If you are going to drink, make sure you have a designated driver or another way to get home safely.
5. Drowsy Driving:
Drowsy driving is another dangerous behavior that is all too common among teenage drivers. According to the NHTSA, drowsy driving was a factor in nearly 10 percent of all fatal crashes in 2017.
Many teens don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis, which can lead to drowsy driving. Studies have shown that driving while sleep-deprived is just as dangerous as driving drunk. If you are feeling tired, make sure you pull over to a safe location and take a nap before getting back on the road.
6. Not Yielding the Right of Way:
Many teenage drivers make the mistake of failing to yield the right of way, which can lead to serious accidents. According to the NHTSA, failure to yield was a factor in nearly 10 percent of all fatal crashes in 2017.
Many teens fail to yield because they are in a hurry or because they don’t fully understand how to yield properly. If you are approaching an intersection, make sure you slow down and look for oncoming traffic before proceeding.
7. Running Red Lights and Stop Signs:
Running red lights and stop signs is another dangerous mistake made by teenage drivers. According to the NHTSA, running red lights and stop signs was a factor in nearly 10 percent of all fatal crashes in 2017.
Many teens fail to stop at red lights and stop signs because they are in a hurry or because they don’t fully understand the rules of the road. If you come to a red light or stop sign, make sure you come to a complete stop before proceeding.
8. Making Illegal Turns:
Many teenage drivers make the mistake of making illegal turns, which can lead to serious accidents. According to the NHTSA, making illegal turns was a factor in nearly 10 percent of all fatal crashes in 2017.
Many teens make illegal turns because they are in a hurry or because they don’t fully understand the rules of the road. If you are making a turn, make sure you use the proper turn signal and yield to oncoming traffic before proceeding.
9. Driving in Poor Weather Conditions:
Many teenage drivers make the mistake of driving in poor weather conditions, which can lead to serious accidents. According to the NHTSA, driving in poor weather conditions was a factor in nearly 10 percent of all fatal crashes in 2017.
Many teens don’t have the experience or skills needed to safely drive in poor weather conditions. If you must drive in inclement weather, make sure you take it slow and use extra caution.
In conclusion, these are nine of the most common mistakes made by teenage drivers. By avoiding these errors and enrolling in driving school for teens, you can help keep yourself and others safe on the road.
