Three Things To Do To Protect Your Child During The 100 Deadliest Days

AAA has dubbed the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day as the 100 Deadliest Days on the road.  That is because there are more and more teen drivers on the road during this time of year than any other time on the calendar.

That means we are smack dab in the middle of this unfortunate season and if you are the parent of a teen driver you know that sending her/him out the road can be a nerve racking experience.  The last thing you want to do is put your son or daughter at risk of a Connecticut auto accident.  What is a parent to do though?  You want to give your child independence and the experience of being able to drive on the road without supervision, but you also want to keep them safe.  It can be a challenging dynamic and one that parents grapple with all the time.  The good news is that there are some things you can do that are more subtle than putting down harsh rules that will undoubtedly keep your child safer.

1. Model good behavior.  Hopefully you’ve been doing this all along, but now it is more important than ever as your child is starting out on her/his driving journey.  Stow your cell phone, use your seatbelt, and drive the speed limit.  Modeling good behaviors behind the wheel is one of the best things you can do to keep your child safe when they get behind the wheel.  
2. Maintain clear rules.  While many states, including Connecticut, have rules that govern teen drivers, you may want to have your own rules.  Making sure these rules are as clear as possible and enforcing them can make all the difference in the world in the safety of your child on the road.
3. Limit passengers to one at a time.  The more passengers that are in a car the more distractions there are for your child who is the driver.  If she/he has 3 friends crammed in the backseat and another passenger in the front seat the distractions can get overwhelming and your child will take her/his attention off the road.

Your child’s safety behind the wheel, as you know, is literally a matter of life or death.  A Connecticut auto accident has a greater chance of being fatal if the driver is speeding or not paying attention.  Teen drivers are inexperienced and more likely to speed which can be a recipe for disaster.

The good news is that even though your kids may not act like it they are still looking to you for an example of how to behave behind the wheel.  If you model good behavior, have clear rules, and limit passengers you will be well on your way to keeping your child safe behind the wheel while also allowing her/him the freedom to blossom into an adult.

If your child is behind the wheel and is injured, you may want to have an attorney represent her/his long-term interests.  One of the attorneys in our office would be happy to speak with you about your case.