When a teen is finally old enough to get behind the wheel of a car and drive himself or herself places, it can be a time of great excitement and independence. Louisiana parents may also rejoice at the fact that they no longer have to shuttle their kids from place to place. This is a big step, and it is one that comes with an immense amount of responsibility. Parents should work carefully to teach their kids well in hope of reducing personal injury incidents involving distracted teen drivers.
Distracted driving is a problem for all age groups, but it is a particular concern for younger drivers. They are more prone to driving recklessly and making poor choices because of inexperience. One thing that parents can do is to limit their child’s driving freedom, such as driving at night, on the interstate or with other teens in the car. Parents should work from the very beginning to teach and encourage safe driving.
One specific safety concern that many parents have regarding distracted driving for their teen driver is having too many people in the car. While texting is the most common reason for distraction, other passengers and talking while driving can also be dangerous. Many Louisiana parents also limit how much their kids drive when the weather is bad.
Poor weather conditions, passengers in the car, loud music and, of course, cell phones can all be very distracting. It is extremely important for parents to work with their kids to teach safe driving habits from an early age. If a distracted driver does cause an accident that leads to injury to another person, the victim has the right to pursue a personal injury claim, no matter the age of the responsible party.