If your teen has obtained a New York state driver’s license, it means that he or she is now deemed qualified to drive a vehicle. However, it is important that you set limits as to when your teen can drive and how many people can be in the car at any given time. Ideally, a younger driver will not be allowed to transport passengers for any reason.
Passengers can be a dangerous distraction
Teens who drive with teenage passengers in their cars increase their risk of getting into an accident by 44%. Therefore, you should think long and hard about allowing your teen to take a date to the movie theater or take a younger brother or sister to soccer practice. In many cases, traveling with a sibling is more dangerous than traveling with a friend or any other person. This is because a sibling may know how to get a reaction out of the driver, which can take his or her focus off of the road.
Is your child riding with a teen driver?
If your child is going to be riding with a teen driver, it is important that you get as many details as possible about that person. For example, you’ll want to know how much experience the driver has and how far he or she will be driving. You’ll also want to know if any highway or night driving will be involved. In many cases, night and highway driving are more difficult for teens compared to more experienced drivers.
You should also talk to your son or daughter about not being a distraction to that individual. This can help to maximize the chances that your child gets to and from a destination safely.