Last updated on 09/01/08
When are teenagers ready to drive?
Car accidents are a leading cause of death for teens and pre-teens in the United States. New research indicates that the risk of a fatal car crash is increased when a passenger between the ages of 8 and 17 is riding with teen drivers, travelling on high-speed roads or not wearing a seatbelt. Teenagers, though inexperienced, are most likely to exhibit unsafe behaviors while driving. Though many will pass their road tests easily, it is a parent’s job to prepare their children to drive safely.
In the Jewish Community
Although four years have passed since the untimely passing of sixteen-year-old Simcha Davis, it still not easy for those in the Monsey community to forget that fateful car accident that killed Simcha, the driver, and injured three of his friends. As the Jewish Community grows and the number of Jewish teenagers increases, the issue of teenage driving becomes increasingly more prominent in the Jewish Community. Whether due to inexperience, unreliability, or irresponsibility, statistics have shown that car accidents are a leading cause of death for teens. Every summer, Hatzolah issues driving limitations on the teens that spend their summers in the Catskill Mountains. It is up to parents and schools to protect their children and impose similar limitations.
Use the links below to read more about teenage driving. Learn if your child is ready to drive, and become aware of the dangers involved.
Frequently Asked Links
What are some guidelines I can use to determine that my child is ready to drive?
How can I tell if my child is ready to drive?
What questions should I ask myself before I allow my child to drive?
What other questions should I ask myself before I allow my child to drive?
How can I tell if my teenager is ready to drive alone?
Why do teenagers get into more car accidents than adults do?
How can I help my child become a safe driver?
What are some tips for a new driver?
What rules can I set for my teen driver?
What can I do to keep my teen safe?
What are some of the dangers of allowing a teenager to have unsupervised, free reign of a car?
By Rabbi Yakov Horowitz
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Resources
Click It or Ticket
http://www.nhtsa.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.ce4a601cdfe97fc239d17110cba046a0/
Click It or Ticket (CIOT) is the most successful seat belt enforcement campaign ever, helping create the highest national seat belt usage rate of 82 percent.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety/Highway Loss Data Institute
http://www.highwaysafety.org
This organization is dedicated to reducing highway crashes, injuries, and deaths. It also offers information on driving-related topics such as airbags, teen drivers, auto accidents, speed laws, and underage drinking.
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