As the calendar turns to May, graduation season has arrived and is probably the most exciting time of a teen’s life. They are excited about leaving high school and embarking on a new part of their lives. To that end, teens want to celebrate and party. The downside of these times is that May and June can be very dangerous for young drivers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that car accidents are the leading cause of death for young people aged 15 to 20. Because of this, young drivers should heed the following recommendations when celebrating their graduations.
Don’t drink and drive – Most teens know that drinking and driving is a bad idea; but some believe that only sloppy drunk and uncoordinated people should not get behind the wheel. On the contrary, being tipsy or “buzzed” could lead to disaster.
Stay off the phone – Indeed, staying in touch is important, but young drivers must realize that texting while driving is very dangerous. Many teens don’t realize that for every second their eyes are off the road, a car could travel 50 to 200 yards. It may not seem like a lot, but it is enough to lead to an accident that could change their lives forever.
Obey the speed laws – Excessive speed is a contributing factor in a number of accidents involving young drivers. So while the feeling of taking off quickly may be exhilarating, it could lead to a fatal accident.
Ultimately, young drivers have a duty to drive as a reasonable person would. If a driver fails to do so, he or she could be held liable in an accident.