Car accidents are the No. 1 killer of teens. But parents can make a difference in helping teens stay safe. Prevention of auto accidents is something that begins at home.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly 3,000 teens are killed every year in car accidents. Lack of driving experience accounts for many of these accidents.

Teen drivers are new to the road, and it shows. Despite driving fewer miles on average than older drivers, they face the biggest risk of being involved in a serious car accident, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The IIHS and the CDC share the following facts:

• Accident rates among teens are three times higher than among drivers over the age of 20.
• The highest accident risk is among drivers ages 16-17, whose fatal crash rate is nearly twice as high as those ages 18-19.
• A teen driver’s risk of a crash rises when other teens are in the car.
• Nearly two-thirds of fatal accidents involving 16-year-old drivers happen when there is at least one teen passenger in the vehicle.
• In one recent year, 79 percent of teens killed in crashes were occupants in passenger vehicles while 10 percent were pedestrians, 5 percent were motorcyclists and 3 percent were bicyclists
• Single-vehicle crashes accounted for 48 percent of fatal accidents involving drivers ages 16-19. By comparison, only 39 percent of fatal accidents involving drivers ages 25 and older were single-vehicle crashes

So what can you do?

As a parent, you are your child’s first role model, whether you realize it or not. From the time they are small, children are watching you drive and looking for behaviors to model. Understanding what puts your teen at risk of an accident can help you keep your child safe. 

Prepare Teens for Traffic Situations

Because of inexperience, teen drivers aren’t always well-equipped to handle situations that can lead to a crash. Parents can help teens gain experience and prepare them for conditions they may encounter on the road.

Begin teaching your child about road safety as he or she nears driving age. Even when you are the one behind the wheel, you encounter teachable moments. Use them.

Also, make sure your child is enrolled in driver’s education courses. Help your child practice the driver’s ed lessons and spend time supervising your child’s driving in a variety of conditions.

Clear Expectations

A new driver needs clear rules and expectations. Communicate what you expect before you hand over the keys.

The CDC recommends writing a parent/teen driving agreement, a contract that lays out the rules for your new teen driver. These rules may include things such as:

• Always wear a seatbelt.
• Never use a cellphone while driving.
• Always obey the speed limit.
• Drive only when alcohol- and drug-free.
• Drive only with permission.
• Allow only approved passengers to ride.

Once the rules are agreed upon, discuss the ramifications of breaking them. A teen who knows there are penalties at stake is more likely to meet your expectations.

Getting a driver’s license is a rite of passage for American teens. Keeping a new driver safe is an important responsibility for parents.