When a teenager is behind the wheel, the risks that they can face are typically different than those faced by more experienced drivers. For example, teen drivers often face inexperience, drug and alcohol abuse, distracted driving and speeding.
Inexperience
Experience on the road is one of the most critical factors in driving safety, and drivers gain it with time and practice. Unfortunately, this means that new and inexperienced drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents. In addition, due to inexperience, teens are likely to get into accidents by underestimating hazardous situations, not being able to handle the vehicle properly in emergencies, or simply making mistakes.
Drug and alcohol abuse
There are reasons why teenagers tend to use drugs and alcohol, including peer pressure and curiosity. However, drugs and alcohol can impair a person’s judgment, motor skills and reaction time, making driving dangerous. Therefore, when a teen is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they are more likely to take risks, such as driving recklessly.
Distracted driving
Texting, talking on the phone, eating, drinking, and other activities that take a driver’s attention away from the road are all forms of distracted driving. Distracted driving is dangerous because it increases the chance of an accident occurring. In addition, when a driver is not paying attention to the road, they may not see hazards in time to avoid them, or they may not be able to react quickly enough if an emergency arises.
Speeding
When a driver is speeding, they are more likely to lose control of their vehicle, and they are less likely to be able to stop in time if an obstacle appears on the road. In addition, speeding makes it more difficult to maneuver around curves and corners. As a result, speeding is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents.
There are a few things that teen drivers can do to avoid the risks that they face on the road. First, as a teenager, you should make sure that you get plenty of practice behind the wheel before driving on your own. In addition, you should avoid using drugs and alcohol and stay focused on the road while driving. Finally, you should obey the speed limit and drive at a safe speed.