Passing a driving test and getting a license to drive does not make a safe driver. Many teenage drivers nationwide, including Michigan, are overwhelmed by excitement when they finally have the freedom to take to the roads as solo drivers. Being licensed to drive does not mean the young driver possesses all the skills required to be a safe driver.
Overconfidence increases crash risks
New teen drivers in Michigan must understand the state’s driving laws and the penalties that follow traffic law violations. Moreover, causing accidents that result in severe injuries or fatalities could adversely affect teenagers for life. Parents who lead by example play a significant role in this process.
The most frequent violations involve the very basics of driving, like the following:
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Drowsy and fatigued driving
- Driving while highly emotional, upset or angry
- Aggressive driving that could lead to road rage
Personal safety
Teen drivers seldom consider their own mortality and often disregard the following personal safety rules:
- Failure to wear a seat belt
- Disregarding posted speed limits
- Failure to adjust speed in adverse weather and road conditions
- Failure to be alert and on the lookout for dangerous situations
Routine safety checks and vehicle maintenance are crucial. Brakes, tires and other defects or malfunctioning systems or parts could lead to deadly crashes.
Patience is essential because it takes approximately five years of driving in various conditions to reach the skills required to be a safe, responsible driver.
Legal consequences of negligent driving
Parents and teenage drivers in Michigan could suffer the consequences of negligent driving. Any person injured in a car accident caused by a teen driver’s negligence could file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver. The driver, parents and vehicle owner could be held accountable for the current and future medical expenses and other financial losses suffered by the injured person. Similarly, the surviving family members of deceased crash victims could seek economic and emotional damage recovery.