For many teenagers, learning to drive is an important rite of passage. Earning a license that they can independently store in their wallet unlocks the gate towards earning their own license plate, and the liberation and freedom that comes with it.

Important Teen Driver Statistics

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than 2,000 teenagers under the age of 19 were killed while operating a motor vehicle. Unfortunately, personal injuries and deaths due to accidents are on the rise at an alarming rate. In just the emergency room alone, personal injury statistics are reaching over 240,00. With these startling statistics, teen safety tips for driving a car are a must. As concerned citizens or parents, you naturally want to do everything you can to ensure your teenager's safety and other driver's safety. Also, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 9% of all 15 to 19 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crashes. Undeniably, we need to be educating our teenagers now more than ever on basic vehicle safety tips to ensure a safe driving experience for all.

Basic Vehicle Safety Tips

For more mature drivers, following the basic safety tips for operating a motor vehicle tends to come much more naturally. Teenagers, however, see the whole driving experience as exhilarating and thrilling. With a few key tips, you can help prepare your teen driver for this new stage in life and stay safe.

Eventually, your teen driver will be driving autonomously. While your teenager still has their permit, you need to be reviewing and repeating the basic safety tips for operating a car. Below are some tips that will help teen drivers stay safe on the roads:

· Once you're in the car, make sure your teen adjusts their mirrors to create a proper view all the way around the vehicle and eliminate potential blind spots.

· Remind them to keep both hands on the steering wheel all the time- specifically at 10 and 2 o'clock.

· Make sure the gas tank is full to ensure there is enough fuel for the planned destination. The last thing you want is for your teenager to be stranded on the side of the road. That can pose a serious threat to your teen's life with oncoming cars, etc.

· Secure your teenager's seat belt and seat position. Also, make sure all passengers in the car are wearing their seat belts and are adjusted properly. Without proper seat belt safety, both your teen's and their passenger's lives could be in danger. In fact, last year seat belt use in motor vehicles saved an estimated 14,600 lives.

· Move the driver's seat to a safe position where your teenager's elbows and knees are at a 90-degree angle to reach the pedals.

· Lastly, adjust the head and armrest for a comfortable driving experience.

Once your teen starts driving by themselves regularly, give them some time to adjust. Within the first few months behind the wheel is when most teenage accidents occur. That does not mean that all teen drivers are poor drivers; it just means they are growing their sea legs. Over time, they'll get a better feel for where a car's brakes are, how not to tail people, how to avoid road rage, how quickly the car turns, etc. In the meantime, continue to coach your new teenage driver on how to operate a motor vehicle with our tips, and remember, patience is the key.

But what if your teen driver doesn't heed your advice? If your teenager has been in an auto accident or the victim of an unfair accident claim, it is unwise to handle the claim on your own! Especially because the offender's employer or insurance company will have legal representation that will give them an advantage. Auto accidents for minors are difficult, and so is dealing with insurance companies, employers, and doctors. Even if an auto accident case seems very minor, an experienced personal injury lawyer could look out for your teen’s best interests. You work hard to keep your teens safe.