For the first sixteen years of a child’s life, the parents are in charge of how that child gets to school, to the movies, to sports, and any other activity. Sometimes, that responsibility is shared by other parents or a school bus driver. When that child is old enough to get their driver’s license, everything changes.
As parents, you are letting go a bit and allowing your teen to be independent, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still set down some vital “rules of the road” for them to follow, especially when it comes to texting and driving.
Distracted driving is one of the biggest concerns for parents, and for good reason. Distracted driving accidents can be caused by just a few seconds of shifting focus off the road, and the primary cause of that is texting while driving.
Every parent knows their teens engage in a lot of texting. That means you need to have a serious conversation about their actions behind the wheel. Here is what you need to know about keeping your teen driver safe on the road.
Kentucky Laws and Teen Drivers
Here in Kentucky, House Bill 15 permits teens as young as 15 to start driving. That might be cause for even more anxiety. This new law allows for the following:
- Permit Eligibility: Teens as young as 15 can now apply for an instruction permit.
- Permit Validity: The permit is valid for a period of four years.
- Practice Requirements: Permit holders must complete 60 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.
- Intermediate License: After six months of holding a permit and meeting practice requirements, teens can apply for an intermediate license.
This could mean that as your 14-year-old approaches their next birthday, they’ll be asking about driving.
It’s never too early or too late to instill safe driving in your kids. Here are some proactive practices you can start today:
How Can I Set the Rules for Texting?
You need to set rules for texting while driving, and that should be a zero-tolerance policy.
The most effective way to avoid texting while driving is to have your teen turn off their phone when they get into the car and turn it back on when they get to their destination. That might seem extreme, but it will ensure that they’re not using it at all.
The other option is to ensure they are driving hands-free. If your car has the technology to link with a phone through steering wheel functions, you should teach your teen how to use them. However, even using hands-free technology can be a distraction for someone who is just starting to drive.
That’s why the power-down option might be important during those first few months of learning.
It is also essential not to text with them when you know they’re driving. They might feel more inclined to respond to your text than a text from a friend.
Engage in Regular Check-Ins
The first several months of your teen’s driving experience will have you by their side. When they’re ready for solo driving, establish a routine of regular check-ins. Those check-ins should happen before they leave the house and with a phone call once they’ve arrived at their destination.
You can include questions like these:
- Where are you headed?
- When do you plan to be back?
- Do you have enough gas?
- How was the drive?
- Did anything unexpected happen?
- Did you experience any close calls?
This demonstrates that you’re invested in their safety while still allowing them to be independent.
Should I Use Life360 or a Similar App?
When it comes to a new teen driver, technology can be a parent’s best friend. There are helpful apps like Life360 that let you track the location of your teen’s car. It also reports on incidents involving speed and hard braking. You can set arrival alerts and emergency assistance when needed.
This shouldn’t be considered “spying” but ensuring safety. You should absolutely let your teen know about the app, which will encourage them to maintain their best driving behavior.
Limit Passengers
Distracted driving isn’t just about texting but also talking. Your teen needs to stay focused on the road ahead, not on their friends in the back seat. That is why you should limit the number of passengers your teen drives with. It would be helpful if you knew who those friends are and approved of them.
Set a Curfew
Driving at night presents additional challenges for an inexperienced driver. You should set a curfew in the same way you set bedtime. The curfew can be different on school nights versus weekends.
A curfew also reinforces responsible behavior. It is also important to set consequences for breaking the curfew. The obvious restriction would be to take away driving privileges. Your teen needs to follow the rules of the road and the rules of your home.
What Should I Do in a Teen Driving Emergency?
You also need to ensure your teenager knows what to do in an emergency, such as driving in bad weather or if they get into an accident. If there is an accident, they should call 911 before contacting you. It is also essential for them to document as much of the accident scene as possible and not admit fault to the other driver.
After a car accident, insurance companies will be involved. That is also when you should consider involving Peterson Law Office.
We’re a team of experienced car accident lawyers who help clients negotiate with insurance carriers in the pursuit of the compensation you’re entitled to. Just because your teen is involved in an accident doesn’t mean they are at fault. You can schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss the situation and explore your options.
Call to schedule that talk today.