Jason felt discouraged. He didn't think he was driving very fast, but a police officer stopped him and issued a $100.00 ticket because Jason was going 25 miles over the speed limit. "There goes this week's paycheck from my job," he grumbled to his friends.

Have you or a friend ever received a ticket for speeding or even caused an automobile accident? Do you know someone your age who was killed or seriously injured in a weekend car wreck? If so, you're not alone - teen driving accidents and fatalities are unfortunately all too common.

Did you know that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15- to 20-year-olds? Or maybe you've heard that two out of three teenagers who die in car accidents are passengers in vehicles driven by other teens. The fact is, teenage automobile accidents are a serious problem. Safety experts are trying to change that by educating teens about the choices they make when they get behind the wheel or ride in a vehicle with other teens.

Everyone needs to drive safely and defensively. But if you're an inexperienced or teenage driver, it's even more important to understand your responsibilities on the road. Fortunately, being careful and getting more experience behind the wheel can help you become a safer driver.

What Causes Automobile Accidents?

Many things can cause an automobile accident, including weather, reckless driving, speeding, drinking, drug use, and road rage. Teens, who are newer to driving, may be more likely to make mistakes, use poor judgment, or have trouble reacting to sudden changes when they drive.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, most teenage motor vehicle accidents are caused by:

Driver Error

Compared with crashes caused by older drivers, those of 16-year-olds more often involve driver mistakes.

Speeding

Sixteen-year-old drivers have more crashes in which speeding is a factor. Many high-speed crashes are single-car accidents caused by the driver losing control of the car.

Passengers

Sixteen-year-olds' fatal crashes are more likely to occur when other teens are in the car. Passengers can distract the driver - usually by talking - and that risk of distraction increases with each additional passenger.

Alcohol

Drinking impairs drivers, and even though teen drivers are less likely to drink and drive than adults are, when they do their risk of crashing is much higher.

Night driving

Driving at night is risky for beginning drivers. Per mile driven, the nighttime fatal crash rate for 16-year-olds is about twice as high as the daytime rate.

Low seat belt use

Overall, teenagers are much less likely than adults to use safety belts.

Safety Basics

Teens can take steps to avoid these hazards and be safer on the roads. Most schools offer a driver-education program - in some schools it's even a mandatory course. These programs are a great way to pick up driving skills. If your school doesn't have one, you can probably find a local business that offers driver-training courses. Ask your parents, a teacher, or a guidance counselor for more information.

Teen drivers should always follow these safety basics:

Wear your seat belt

Even if you're just driving up the street to pick up your friend, always wear your seat belt. Statistics show that seatbelts save lives - don't gamble with yours. Airbags alone won't save your life in the event of a serious crash. Buckling up when you're driving or riding is one of the most important things you can do when you get into a vehicle.

Follow the speed limit

Speeding reduces the time you have to avoid a crash and increases the braking distance you'll need to stop a vehicle safely. Driving too fast raises every driver's risk of having a crash, especially in bad weather. So always obey the speed limit and drive defensively.

Don't drink and drive

Drinking or using drugs and then driving is a recipe for disaster - alcohol is involved in almost half of all motor vehicle crashes that kill teens.

Drinking impairs judgment, affects coordination, and can cause confusion, memory lapses, and blackouts. If you or a friend has had a drink, have another friend who has not been drinking drive you home. Call your parents or a taxi or anyone else you trust instead of getting behind that wheel. Careful planning and good judgment can save your life.

Be extra careful at night and in bad weather

Under these conditions you might not be able to see as well, other drivers can be more dangerous, or the roads may be slick. To stay safe, be especially alert and drive more slowly than you would on a sunny day.

Stay calm

It's easy to become angry and frustrated when another driver cuts you off or you're late for school or your weekend job. Road rage is not an option. Angry driving can cost you your life. So slow down and take a few deep breaths if you need to calm down. Even if you have to pull off the road, it's better to take a break than risk someone's life.

Choose a safe, sensible vehicle

If you're in the market for a car, choose one that can help keep you safe. It's tempting to pick a sporty car or one with lots of gadgets. But safety is the most important thing to consider when buying a new or used car. Experts recommend that you examine the car using an inspection checklist. You can find such checklists in magazines and books and on websites that deal with used cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) keeps an online database of safety ratings for cars and trucks made from 1990 to the present.

You and your parent should also test-drive any car you're thinking of buying under different road conditions, such as on hills, on highways, and in stop-and-go traffic. Ask for the car's maintenance record from the owner, dealer, or repair shop, and consider hiring a mechanic to inspect the car. Along with inspecting the engine and transmission, the mechanic should also check the condition of the tires and brakes, and other overall safety factors of the vehicle.

Stock your car for emergencies

It's always a good idea to stock your trunk with emergency supplies in case of bad weather or mechanical problems. You might want to keep these items on hand: a first-aid kit, blankets, a flashlight, a copy of your medical history, a spare tire and jack, windshield wiper fluid, antifreeze, bottled water, a small tool kit, an ice scraper, a set of jumper cables, and spare change to make a phone call.

riving Dos and Don'ts

Sometimes, the best advice comes from someone who has been there. Most adults, such as your parents, are experienced drivers who can offer suggestions for safe driving.

Or you can take the advice of Ryan Buckholtz. When he was a teen learning to drive, several of his classmates were involved in car accidents. So he created a website, www.teendriving.com, to help teens become better drivers. Some of the tips he offers include:

*Always wear your seat belt, and make sure all your passengers buckle up, too.

*Make sure your windshield is clean. At sunrise and sunset, light reflecting off a dirty windshield can momentarily blind you.

*Never try to pack in more passengers than there are seatbelts in the car.

*Make sure your car has gas. Don't ride around with the gauge on empty because you don't want to become stranded.

*Obey all speed limits for both maximum and minimum speeds.

*Don't run red lights or stop signs.

*Come to a complete stop at lights or stop signs.

*Use your turn signal to indicate that you want to turn or change lanes. Turn it on to give the cars behind you enough time to react before you make your move. Also, make sure the signal is off once you're done.

*When a light turns green, make sure the intersection has cleared before you go.

*Obey curfews and leave yourself plenty of time to reach your destination.

*Don't blast the radio. You might miss a siren or a horn that could warn you of possible trouble.

*Don't drink and drive, and don't ride with anyone who has been drinking. Call your parents or friends to pick you up if you need a ride.

*Don't take drugs and drive, and don't ride with anyone who has been using drugs. Even some over-the-counter drugs can make you drowsy, so check the label for warnings.

*Don't drive with small children or even small teenage friends in the front seat of a car that has a passenger-side air bag. They should be buckled up in the back seat instead. Children and small people can be hurt if the air bags deploy, even in collisions at slow speeds. (It's actually safer not to drive with friends and kids in the car when you're learning to drive because they can distract you.)

*Don't talk on your cell phone, put on makeup, comb your hair, or eat while driving. If you need to make a call, pull off the road to a safe spot and park.

*Always pull over (to the right side of the road) if a police officer stops you.
Don't allow friends or other uninsured drivers to drive your car.

*If you feel tired or sleepy, pull off the road and call your parents or another adult to help you.

*Don't drive like you own the road - drive like you own the car.

*Driving safely is crucial to learning the rules of the road. Just remember to be safe, use good judgment, and practice as much as you can. If you do, you'll enjoy driving even more because you'll know you're protecting yourself and everybody on the road with you.

Reviewed by: Kim Rutherford, MD
Date reviewed: November 2002