Do you have a teenager who recently got her driver’s license, or do you have a teenager at home who will soon be eligible to obtain a driver’s license in Ohio? It is extremely important to recognize the role parents play in teen driving safety. While many accidents involving teen drivers are caused by the teen’s own negligence—such as in cases where distracted or drunk driving played a major role in the collision—numerous teen drivers are injured in collisions caused by other drivers, too.
While older drivers might be experienced enough to avoid an accident caused by an aggressive or intoxicated driver on the road, teens often do not have the necessary experience behind the wheel to avoid a car accident caused by another motorist’s careless or reckless behavior. If your teen driver was injured in an accident caused by another motorist, I will do all that I can to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. In the meantime, I want to say more about teen driving agreements and how they can help teens to avoid a crash.
What is a Teen Driving Agreement?
Teen driving agreements, also known as parent-teen driving contracts, are documents that clarify the teenager’s rights and responsibilities when it comes to driving. In short, this document outlines the rules the teenager must follow if she or he wants to drive, and it clarifies the parent’s expectations about when, where, and how the teenager will drive. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides an example of a parent-teen driving agreement, which may include any and all of the following terms.
For example, the teen driver might promise to do all of the following:
- Wear a seat belt;
- Ensure that other passengers buckle up;
- Obey all traffic lights and rules;
- Never speed;
- Avoid giving rides to strangers;
- Avoid texting while driving;
- Never speak on the phone while driving, even if the car has a hands-free option;
- Keep both hands on the wheel at all times;
- Never eat or drink in the car while driving;
- Never use headphones while driving;
- Never drive after consuming any alcohol or any other intoxicating substance; and
- Refuse to ride in a car with a teen driver who has been drinking or taking drugs.
In addition to promises the teen makes, the agreement can also have specific restrictions on driving, depending upon the teen’s experience behind the wheel. For example:
- Teen will not drive after 9 p.m. until the teen has 50 hours of driving experience;
- Teen will not allow more than one other teen passenger in the vehicle unless there is an adult in the car; and
- Teen will not drive in inclement weather.
These are just a few examples of potential restrictions. If there is a particular busy or dangerous area, the agreement might also restrict the teen from driving in a specific place. In addition to promises and restrictions, these agreements also usually include penalties for the teen if she or he violates the agreement.
Get in Touch With Me for Help With Your Car Accident Claim
Teenage drivers need all the practice they can get behind the wheel, yet sometimes even the most careful teen driver will get hurt in an accident caused by another motorist’s recklessness. If your teenager sustained serious injuries in a collision with a negligent driver, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Give me a call today at 877.944.4373 to learn more about your options for a car accident claim in Cleveland.
