During the summer months, especially July and August, the number of car crashes increases. Especially high during these months are the number of crashes and deaths among teenagers. The risk of being involved in a crash is the highest among male teenagers, age 16 to 19. Teenagers are more likely to engage in risky behaviors like driving distracted, not wearing a seat belt, driving with other teen passengers (also a distraction), drinking and driving, speeding, and nighttime driving. New drivers are more likely to make mistakes because they are inexperienced and they are easily distracted. Parents can help keep teens safe by taking the following steps before handing them the car keys.
- Know the risks and talk to your teen about the dangers of engaging in risky behavior behind the wheel. Here is a good resource to help you start the conversation aaa.com
- Know the laws and enforce them – NJ laws available here
- Help them practice – a good resource for supervised driving tips is available here
- Use technology to see how they are doing (it’s not spying if it helps to keep them safe) with APPS that evaluate their driving (speeding, cell phone use, harsh braking, etc.) and provide feedback to help them improve. Also, add vehicle technology such as cameras, GPS tracking, cell phone blocks, or get them a newer vehicle that has advanced technology incorporated. More info about available technology here
- Teach them what to do in case they are involved in an accident
- Be a good role model
July is also National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month. According to NHTSA, there were 721,885 motor vehicles stolen in 2019. A motor vehicle was stolen every 43.8 seconds and nearly half of thefts may have been avoided with simple actions by the driver. The cost of stolen vehicles comes in at nearly $ 6 billion. Summers prove to be the worst season for vehicle theft. So, to help drivers keep their vehicles safe, here are a few tips to avoid becoming a victim:
- Don’t leave your car unlocked
- Take your key; do not leave it in the car
- Don’t leave any windows open
- Park in well-lit areas
- Install an anti-theft device
- Don’t leave valuables in the car
- Don’t leave the second set of keys in your car
- Park with the wheels turned towards the curb to make the car harder to tow
- Don’t leave your registration card in the car
If you are the victim of vehicle theft, contact police immediately and contact your insurance company within 24h to file a claim.
Sources:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/vehicle-theft-prevention