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Are there still people on your holiday shopping list? If you are looking for some great presents that can also help your loved ones avoid Miami traffic accidents, consider:

1) A hand-held breathalyzer. These are available at many department stores, and can help prevent Miami drunk driving accidents. There are even key chains with small breathalyzers on them. Although not as accurate as the systems used by authorities, these small items can help a loved one re-consider driving after they have been drinking.

2) A GPS system. GPS systems are more affordable than ever before – and more accurate. They can help a loved one find their way to various destinations without the distraction of maps. They can guide a driver to a destination without requiring the driver to take their eyes off the road, and this can help prevent Miami car accidents.

3) A rear-view camera system. Miami rollover accidents are tragic, but there are small cameras which can be mounted on the back of a car to allow drovers to see exactly what is behind them before they start backing up. In some cases, these systems are combined with GPS systems in one device.

4) A winter safety kit or emergency kit. Emergency kits and winter driving kits are very affordable but contain the various items that someone might need after a Miami traffic accident or after a car breaking down.

5) A gift certificate for a tune-up. Many mechanics offer gift cards and gift certificates. This can be a great gift for anyone, as it can ensure that a driver’s car is in great shape and ready to avoid a Miami truck accident or traffic accident.

6) Driving lessons. If you have a new driver in your life, consider giving the gift of additional private driving lessons. These can help a new driver hone their driving skills and their confidence behind the wheel, putting them less at risk for a Miami car accident. Refresher courses are a great gift for drivers of any age, as are racing lessons. Racing lessons are fun and help teach driving skills and confidence that can help any driver drive more safely.

7) Reflective clothing for the joggers and pedestrians on your list. Miami pedestrian accidents are a major cause of concern, and Miami bicycle accidents are all too common. If you have friends and family who enjoy biking or walking, get them reflective clothing, hats, or accessories, so that they can stay safer while exercising.

Continue reading "Give the Gift of Safety: Holiday Gifts That Can Prevent Miami Car Accidents " »

If you have a new teenage driver in your household this year, bear in mind that Halloween can pose a higher than usual risk of Miami car accidents. If your teen is out and about on Halloween, he or she will have to contend not only with night driving, but also with lots of children in costume running around. Unfortunately, some children do get overly excited on Halloween and may run out into traffic. Drivers who are out on this night need to be extra cautious. New drivers may not yet have the skills to deal with the added stress and dangers of Halloween driving. To ensure that your new teen driver is safe on the roads, consider:

1) Discussing the dangers of Halloween driving. If your teen will be out and about driving on Halloween night, make sure that he or she understands that Halloween is a riskier night than usual, simply because of the larger number of children out on the streets. The higher level of pedestrian traffic increases the risk of Miami pedestrian accidentshttp://www.flaxmanandlopez.com/lawyer-attorney-1118456.html. Talk to your teen about the dangers, and work together to find a solution that will help keep your teen safe on the roads. Get your teen to come up with their own ideas for staying safe – teens are more likely to follow safety rules if they propose them.

2) Ensure that your teen will be turning off all mobile devices while driving on Halloween. Halloween is no time to be texting and driving or talking on a cell phone and driving. On this night, drivers, especially, need to place their entire focus on the road. Ensure that your teen understands the dangers, and is willing to turn off their mobile device before getting in the car.

3) Make sure your teen has get home safe plan in case they attend a party where there is drinking. Many Halloween parties for older teens do involve drinking, and like all holidays, Halloween night can mean a higher risk of Miami drunk driving accidents. To avoid a serious injury, ensure that your teen knows that they can call you or a friend to get a safe and sober ride home – no questions asked. Make sure that your teen also has enough cab fare to get home safely as well.

4) Be wary of Halloween pranks and where your teen is going on Halloween. Unfortunately, many older teens do engage in risk-taking activities on Halloween night. Smashing pumpkins, playing pranks, and even toilet papering houses can lead to aggressive confrontations and even personal injury. Make sure that your teens understand the dangers of risk taking. If you're not sure about your teen’s safety on Halloween night, consider arranging an event or party at home.

Continue reading "If you Have a New Teen Driver, Help them Avoid Halloween Miami Car Accidents" »

If your teen is a new driver this fall and is looking forward to driving to school, work, or after-school activities, you will of course want to ensure that your teen is driving safely. There are many ways you can help your teen avoid a Florida car accident or truck accident:

1) Help your teen find a safe car. Whether your teen is saving up for their first car or whether you will be gifting a car to your child, make sure that the car is safe. Have it inspected by a trusted mechanic and consider adding some safety features – such as a security system that lets your teen get in touch with a live operator in the event of a problem. Alternatively, make sure your teen has a cell phone so that they can call for help if needed.

2) Establish rules about drinking and driving and distracted driving. Your teen has already heard the message in driver education, but this is one message that needs to be stressed again and again. Make sure that your teen has several options for getting home safely without drinking and driving. This may mean that you need to agree that your teen can always call you for a ride with no questions asked and no lectures or punishment for underage drinking. An agreement like that can help prevent one more Florida drunk driving accident, however. As well, review the types of activities that constitute distracted driving and ensure that your teen agrees never to engage in those activities.

3) Limit the number of passengers your teen can have in the car – at first. Even if your teen promises never to drive distracted, passengers are one of the most distracting things for a new driver – and, inevitably, once your teen has a license many unlicensed friends will want a ride. At first, limiting the number of passengers your teen is allowed to take can ensure that distractions are kept to a minimum. As your teen gains confidence and experience behind the wheel, you can consider relaxing the restrictions.

4) Consider additional training. Private lessons, defensive driving courses, and even racing school, can help address any bad driving habits before they set. Additional training with a qualified instructor can also give your teen additional guided experience on the road – an important factor in preventing car collisions.

5) Take frequent drives with your teen. Being a passenger when your teen drives can reassure you about your teen's driving. It can also help you to see whether additional training and restrictions are needed.

Continue reading "Helping Your Young Driver Avoid Accidents This Fall " »

Most insurance companies charge young drivers higher insurance premiums because statistics show that young drivers do have higher rates of accidents. Over the past two decades, a number of initiatives have been launched to help prevent Florida car accidents involving young drivers. For example, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) have created education campaigns to alert young drivers about the dangers of Florida drunk driving accidents. As well, legislators have passed laws requiring more training and placing additional restrictions on new drivers. Graduated licensing ensures that teens cannot

However, most experts agree that the way to prevent car accidents among young drivers is to include more training. There are many suggestions about adding more training for young drivers:

1) Defensive driver training. Defensive driving courses go one step further than basic driver education, by helping new drivers learn how to anticipate and avoid car collisions. Many parents already send their teens to defensive driving courses or even to racing school – which also teaches additional defensive driving skills. Insurance companies often encourage parents to pay for this type of additional training by offering insurance discounts to teen drivers with additional defensive driver training.

2) Decision training. Some experts believe that teens may be more likely to make poor decisions – such as the decision to drive while talking on a cell phone or the decision to overload a car with passengers – which older and more experienced drivers can resist. Teaching teens to make good decisions behind the wheel can help prevent Florida pedestrian accidents and traffic accidents, according to some experts.

3) Night driving training. Most driver education classes and all driver tests for licensing take place during the day, which means that most teens learn night driving through practice. Taking private night driving lessons with a trained driving instructor can help close the gap, but currently this additional training is not required.

4) Additional restrictions for new drivers. Young drivers are not allowed to have any alcohol in their system and may face additional restrictions. Some legislators have suggested additional restrictions for young drivers – such as banning young drivers only from using mobile devices while driving.

5) Increasing the age for new drivers. Some Florida residents in years past have suggested that 16 years old is too young to be behind a wheel. In fact, across the country there have been campaigns to increase the driving age to 18. However, this is considered a very controversial suggestion.

6) Winter driving training. Most Florida residents do not need to worry about whiteout conditions, black ice, and other dangers of winter driving. However, some argue that winter driving skills should also be taught in Florida, since eventually Florida drivers may move or travel to other states where winter driving is a very different experience.

7) Longer in-car training hours. Most basic driver education courses require only a limited amount of in-car training. Some argue that these hours are not adequate to really teach teens to drive safely. Some Florida parents pay for additional private lessons for their children, to ensure one-on-one attention from a driving instructor and more supervised driving.

Continue reading "How Much Training is Enough to Prevent Young Drivers From Getting into Florida Car Accidents?" »

If your teen has gotten a driver's license over the summer, he or she may be excited about driving to school for the first time. However, it is natural to have some qualms about this as a parent. After all, the news reports daily on deadly Florida truck accidents and car accidents. Before letting your teen drive to and from school, you may want to ask the following questions:

1) Does your teen have a reliable car? A car that is not in good repair is a considerable danger, because it may not respond adequately if your teen needs to make a sudden move to avoid an accident. You may want to ask your teen to make sure that their car is in good shape before being allowed to drive to and from school. A summer car may not be adequate for the daily wear and tear of a daily commute.

2) Can your teen find a safe parking space nearby? Some high schools provide parking to students, but in other cases students need to find a spot on nearby streets. Are these streets safe to park on? Is parking adequate? Can your teen parallel park well enough to squeeze into a parking spot? Make sure that your teen can park safely and close enough not to have to be late for class.

3) Is your teen willing to sign pledges not to drink and drive or text and drive? Using a cell phone while driving or drinking and driving should carry serious penalties – such as the loss of driving privileges. Get it down on paper.

4) Can you agree on a route to school? Go over the routes to school, with an eye for safety and traffic.

5) Will your teen want to take friends to school? Extra passengers in the car add considerably to distraction for the driver and increase the risk of a Florida pedestrian accident or traffic accident. It is also difficult to enforce how many passengers your teen has in their car. Nevertheless, you will want to impose a passenger limit and have penalties in place if your teen driver disobeys this rule.

6) How will you know where your teen will be after school? One of the dangers of driving to and from school is that your teen may drive off after classes and may forget to tell you where he or she is going. You may need to have rules in place to ensure that you know where your teen is.

7) Has your teen received adequate driver training? Basic driving training is great, but giving your teen additional private lessons means added experience behind the wheel. Additional defensive driving courses are also a smart investment because they give your new driver additional skills to prevent a Florida car accident.

8) Will your teen be driving home in the dark? If your teen has after-school commitments, in the winter he or she may be driving home in the dark. However, most driver training and driver's tests do not test night driving.

9) Does your teen have adequate experience with you in the passenger's seat? Driving along in the passenger's seat when your new driver heads out for a drive can help reassure you that your teen has the driving skills needed to take a car out daily. If you find that your teen has bad habits or dangerous habits, you have a chance to notice this and address it with further training before extending further driving privileges.

Continue reading "Is Your Teen Driving to School for the First Time? Plan Ahead" »

Florida car accidents involving teens have a high cost – both in terms of lives lost and in terms of dollars. According to the AAA, car accidents involving teen drivers who are between the ages of 15 and 17 cost the US over $34 billion in 2006 alone in damages and medical costs. Teen drivers cost the US $9.8 billion in fatal crashes that year and teen driver car accidents caused 2,541 fatalities and 406,427 injuries.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that car accidents account for about 36% of deaths for teens, making it a leading cause of death for this age group. The risk of car accidents for teen drivers between 16 and 19 years old is higher than the risk for any other age group. Teens who are 16 and 17 are especially at risk, with one out of three drivers reporting an accident in their first year on the road.

Many Florida car accidents involve young drivers, and there are many ways to reduce the risk for young drivers, according to experts:

1) Increase mandatory training. Teen athletes log in thousands of hours of practice, but most states require just a few dozen hours of training time with a skilled instructor. Asking your political representatives to increase mandatory training is an important first step. In the meantime, parents and family members can pay for extra training time for their teen drivers – and check to make sure that teens take advantage of the offer. The more experienced drivers are, the less likely they are to be in an accident.

2) Focus on defensive driving. Once teens learn the basics of parking, turning, and sharing the road, they should also be taught emergency driving situations and defensive driving or collision-avoidance techniques. Ideally, these would be required by law. Until they are, parents can ensure that their teens get the extra training needed to stay safe. Many national programs cost less than $100.

3) Graduated licensing. Studies of graduated licensing programs have shown that easing new drivers into driving by increasing driving privileges gradually works. Signing pledges and creating new driver agreements to ensure that teens do not drive under the influence or while distracted can also be helpful.

4) Limiting the number of passengers in a car. Additional passengers mean additional distractions and each additional passenger increases the risk of a serious Florida car accident, according to many research studies. Unfortunately, teens tend to ferry many passengers, since younger friends are often without a license and car of their own. Parents can insist that teen drivers drive no more than one or two friends at a time to reduce the risk of accidents.

Continue reading "The High Cost of Teen Car Accidents in Florida " »

Many parents try to teach their new teen drivers about the dangers of drinking and driving in Florida, or about the dangers of distracted driving. However, younger children are also at risk in Florida car accidents. In fact, the National Center for Heath Statistics reports that car accidents are the leading cause of death for children under the age of 14. There are many ways that parents can teach young children to be safer in cars:

1) Teach your young children to be cautious about getting in a car with a driver who may be drunk. While most youngsters are taught to never get in a car with a stranger, teach children to look for the signs of a drunk driver and teach them to call you instead of getting in the car.

2) Teach your children to wear seat belts at all times. Younger children should always be placed in an age-appropriate safety seat. However, once children are old enough to wear a seat belt, they should be taught about the importance of safety belts and should be encouraged to wear a seat belt at all times.

3) Teach your children not to distract a driver. Younger children can inadvertently distract the driver, without realizing the danger. When driving with a younger child, make sure that they have an activity that can distract them during the trip. As well, be sure to explain to children the importance of not distracting any driver they are getting a drive from.

4) Teach pre-teens about the dangers of too many passengers. Many teens and pre-teens drive around with older friends with cars, and this means that many young drivers ferry around cars full of friends. This can be distracting and dangerous, especially for a younger and less experienced driver. Make sure that you explain to your younger teens about the dangers of distracted driving and the dangers of too many passengers in a car.

Continue reading "Teaching Your Younger Children About Florida Car Accidents" »

Summer is the perfect time for a road trip. Whether you are headed across the country or just across the state, however, use these tips to avoid a Florida car accident during your vacation:

1) Make sure your car is ready for the road. Some cars are simply not fit for long road trips. Before you go, take your car to a trusted mechanic for a basic tune-up and a check of major systems. Get your fluids changed and your tires and brakes checked to ensure that your car is ready for the journey.

2) Plan your trip carefully. Map out your trip carefully, making sure to note rest stops, hotels, and alternative routes in case main routes prove impassable. Online communities are a great way to plan a trip. Make sure that you note any hazards on your route – such as mountainous areas or areas known for fog – so that you are prepared.

3) Pack the essentials. In a small duffel bag, you should pack the items that you need to drive safe. These items should include snacks and bottled water, a blanket, a map, sunscreen, a hat, hand sanitizer, sunglasses, and a cell phone (which should be turned off while you drive). Having everything you may need in one place makes it easier to pull over to the side of the road and find the essentials when you need one of these items.

4) Give all passengers a job to do. Passengers can be a great distraction on the road, so give your passengers a game to play or have them trace the route on a map. This is especially important for small children, who can squabble and be very distracting when bored. If you are traveling with children, pack an iPod of music, games, and other distractions.

5) Take your time. Giving yourself plenty of time ensures that you are not trying to drive for hours at a time. When planning your trip, schedule a short break every hour, as well as time for meals plus a good night of sleep at a hotel or motel. Good breaks can make you less likely to be fatigued and therefore dangerous on the road.

Continue reading "Planning a Summer Road Trip? Tips to Stay Safe" »

For many teens, a road trip is an adventure and something of a rite of passage. Therefore, many teen drivers look forward to the day they can gather together a few friends and hit the road. If your teen driver is going on a first road trip, keep these safety tips in mind:

1) Make sure your teen has GPS and a cell phone – but won't use them while driving. A cell phone with a GPS feature can help your teen call for help and get oriented, but since distracted driving is a leading cause of Florida car accidents, you want to ensure that your teen won't use these devices while driving. Make sure that your teen agrees to pull over onto the side of the road before using these devices. Also, arrange a call-in time for your teen to call you to let you know that everything is fine.

2) Help your teen plan the trip. Work together to identify driving times, rest stops and breaks, potential hazards, and good driving routes. Make sure that your teen understands all the information needed to drive safely.

3) Create a written agreement. Create a contract with your teen and sign it. The contract should outline the rules for the road trip – such as when your teen will call in, a no drunk driving clause, a no distracted driving clause, and anything else you need to keep your driver safe. Be sure to outline fines and penalties for breaking the rules.

4) Encourage your teen to choose passengers carefully. Passengers are a major cause of distraction for teen drivers, so encourage your driver to consider who is coming along on the trip. Consider packing snacks or other activities for passengers so that your teen can focus on the road.

5) Make sure that your teen has a safe car to drive. Many teens driver older used cars because they are affordable, but not all of these cars are adequate for the rigors of a road trip. Take the car to your own mechanic to make sure the vehicle is sound and safe.

6) Consider the gift of additional training. The best gift you have give your teen before the road trip is a few hours of extra training with a qualified driving instructor. One on one training with a good instructor can help your teen correct some bad habits and brush up on skills needed for a longer trip.

Continue reading "Your Teen Driver's First Road Trip" »

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 30 000 Americans die each year in drunk driving accidents. That's about 32 people a day dying needlessly. In addition to these fatalities, many more millions are seriously injured by drunk drivers. Drunk driving accidents are especially tragic because they are completely preventable. It is as simple as not driving if you are drinking.

This is a good time to talk to your teens about Florida car accidents caused by alcohol, because this is the time of year when teens are most at risk. The months of April, May, and June mean graduation, prom, and other festivities which can include underage drinking. Some statistics show that a significant portion of teen drunk driving accidents take place during these three months.

Many parents miss the signs of alcohol abuse because they assume that their children would never drink. Statistics show time and again that a large percentage of teens have experimented with alcohol by the time they are sixteen, however. Assuming that a teen won't drink is not the best approach. Parents should know that there will be times when their teens are pressured to drink – and it is up to parents that their teens have the skills and tools in place to resist the temptation to drink and drive.

Many parents also have a hard time discussing the issue with their teens. It can be awkward to discuss drinking with underage minors. However, there are a number of good tools that can help. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) have many resources and tips on their website that can help start the conversation. As well, many police stations have educational materials that can help parents talk to their teens.

In many cases, parents send teens mixed messages about Florida drunk driving accidents. This can be a problem. On the one hand, parents want their teens to never take part in underage drinking. On the other hand, parents want their teens to know that if they do drink they should not drive. This can seem confusing to teens. Worse, parents may have their own complicated attitudes about alcohol and other controlled substances. The key is to be the best role model possible and to have discussions about underage drinking and about drunk driving separately. That way, you can enforce the dangers of both drinking itself and drunk driving.

Continue reading "This is the Month to Teach Teen Drivers About Florida Drunk Driving Accidents" »

Many parents of teen drivers worry about their children and may even sit down for discussions about Florida drunk driving accidents or distracted driving. While such talks can be great, it is also important to remember that it's best not to wait until sixteen. By the time your child is sixteen, he or she has been in and out of cars for years. It is important to start having these discussions much earlier – when your teen is a pre-teen or a child. There are many things you can do:

1) Have a list of people your teen can call. Your child or teen may not always feel comfortable talking to you or calling you if he or she wants to avoid a drunk driver. It’s a good idea, therefore, to have a list of adult friends and family they can call for a safe ride home. A list of contacts also ensures your child is safe even if they cannot reach you directly.

2) Create a agreement with other members of your family. Consider creating a formal agreement with your teens or pre-teens and with some adult friends and family. The agreement can indicate that your teen or pre-teen can call any of these adults when they need a safe ride home and they will get one – no questions asked. Have your teen add any provisions they need to feel comfortable with making that call.

3) Sign an agreement with your teen or pre-teen about driving safely. Get it in writing and get it specific so that your teen or child knows exactly what their responsibilities are. It is best to have your child help you in drafting the agreement, to ensure that they understand it completely.

4) Teach your child about pedestrian safety. Children are more likely to be in Florida pedestrian accidents because they spend less time in cars than most adults. Reviewing pedestrian safety rules regularly is important to ensure that your child knows how to be safe around cars – as well as in them.

5) Teach your child about car safety. It's not just Florida car accidents that are a danger – there are also strangers in cars, cars backing up, and other dangers. Show your child the basics of car safety – how to get out of a car or trunk, how to approach a car, how to recognize when a car or truck is backing up. The more your child knows, the more he or she can stay safe.

Continue reading "Don’t Wait Until 16 To Talk to Your Teen About Florida Drunk Driving Accidents" »

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, but this is also a great month to talk to your teens about the other dangers of driving. It’s a great time to discuss:

1) Drinking and driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 32 people in the US die every day due to drunk driving. Don't let your teen become one of the statistics of Florida drunk driving accidents. Have an agreement with your teen that

2) Drugs and driving. Many people think of impaired driving as drunk driving, but many drugs (including illegal drugs as well as medications and even over-the-counter products) can cause car accidents because they can cause sleepiness or impairment. Talk to your child about natural supplements, over the counter medications, and illegal drugs. Make sure your teen knows about dangers.

3) Distracted driving. Thanks to awareness campaigns, your teen likely knows about the dangers of texting or talking while driving – but does that mean they put away their mobile device when they drive? This is the month to talk about that and to ensure your teens pull over to the side of the road before making a call.

4) Passengers. Mobile devices are not the only distractions on the road. Loud passengers, loud music, and other distractions in the car can have lethal consequences. Create a list of potential distractions with your teen and then help him or her come up with solutions that address each distraction.

5) Stunts and risks. Teens sometimes think that the risks and stunts they see on TV look cool, and may not appreciate the effects of those risks. Show them photos of accidents caused by stunts and discuss the effects of such decisions.

6) Speeding. Speeding reduces your teen's control of the car, which, combined with the relatively less experience your teen has behind the wheel, can result in a crash. Worse, higher-speed accidents are more likely to result in serious injuries and fatalities.

7) Car safety. While Florida car accidents are a major risk for your teen driver, they are not the only risk. Make sure that you discuss issues such as parking and getting to the car safely at night, car maintenance, car break downs, and more.

Continue reading "The Top Driving-Related Talks You Need to Have With Your Teen Today" »

Underage drinking takes place with far more regularity than most parents want to admit. According to some studies, up to 40% of children have experimented with alcohol by the time they are in eighth grade. This means that 40% of children have experimented with alcohol by age 14 or so – well before they get behind the wheel of a car for the first time. Some of these teens will go on to drink on a regular or semi-regular basis. Underage drinking is a menace when it comes to getting the message across about drinking and driving.

The problem with underage drinking and driving is that it can be hidden. Parents often resist the idea that their underage child is drinking – let alone drinking and driving. Children, in turn, will sometimes go to great lengths to hide the fact that they are drinking from their parents – even if it means driving home drunk. Here is what parents must do to address the issue:

1) Bring up underage drinking first. Talking to your kids about drinking is important, because you want to explain why it can be dangerous. Your local police force likely has educational material about alcohol and drug use – they likely have materials you can use when talking to your child.

2) Next, bring up drinking and driving. Once you have had a talk about drinking, choose a separate time to discuss drinking and driving. This ensures that you don’t send a confusing mixed message: "drinking is wrong, but if you do, don’t drive." Addressing the two separately allows you to address the unique risks of both. Again, your local police department can help provide you with statistics about Florida drunk driving accidents as well as educational materials you can use. Be specific in this talk – some teens think that "just one drink" will not make them unsafe to drive. It is your job that they understand the risks.

3) Create an agreement. Have your children sign an agreement with you, agreeing to call you if they need a safe ride home. Ask your child's input about the agreement – they may want a promise that you don’t ask questions, for example. Create an agreement that you can both honor.

4) Watch your own mixed signals. If you drive recklessly, you could cause an accident – and you are sending the wrong message. If you don’t want your child to take risks on the road, you have to ensure you don’t, either.

Continue reading "Underage Drinking and Florida Car Accidents" »

While getting that driver's license for the first time is a thrill and a sign of freedom for most teen drivers, there is mounting evidence that some drivers are abusing their driving privileges and using their cars to perform stunts that can easily lead to Florida pedestrian accidents and car accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 70% of participants in car stunts are young male drivers and the number of accidents resulting from vehicle stunts seems to be growing. The most popular stunts include:

1) Car surfing. In this stunt, a passenger rides on top of the car, on the running boards, or on the bumper while the car is in motion. In some cases, someone hangs outside of the vehicle while the car is driving. Some drivers speed up or go at increasingly higher speeds while car surfing. According to the CDC, car surfing alone has resulted in almost 100 fatalities. Those who "surf" on cars can easily lose their grip and fall onto the road or crash into overhanging branches or other objects.

2) Ghost riding. In this stunt, a passenger dances or stands on the outside of the car while a driver drives the vehicle, often at increasing speeds. This stunt is dangerous because the person on the exterior can easily lose their balance and fall off. It's a simple way to become a Florida spinal cord injury patient and a simple way to sustain fatal injuries.

3) Skitching. This stunt mimics windsurfing: while the vehicle is in motion a passenger uses a rope or some other means to be dragged along behind the car on roller skates, roller blades, skateboard, or scooter. This can easily lead to collisions and pedestrian accidents if the person behind the car swings out of control. As well, the person behind the car can easily lose their grip or fall under a vehicle.

While these stunts are no doubt meant to be innocent fun, they are anything but. They can cause serious injuries and death. They can also lead to serious charges against any driver who partakes in such activities. Unfortunately, these stunts are often popularized on YouTube and other social media websites, making them seem fun for young drivers.

Continue reading "Car Stunts Can Mean More Florida Car Accidents, Especially Among Younger Drivers" »

Although the link between texting and driving and Florida car accidents has been well established, Florida has not yet passed a texting and driving ban. In the state, it is still legal for drivers to use mobile devices while driving, even though other states have banned the dangerous practice. However, a new bill has been proposed which would make it illegal for young drivers to drive distracted.

There is already a precedent for special rules for minor drivers. Young drivers are not allowed to have any alcohol while driving, are not allowed to have an excess of passengers in the car, and must obey graduated licensing laws where they exist. The idea behind such rules is that young drivers have less experience and are therefore more at risk of being in a car accident.

The Minor Traffic Safety Act bill would make it illegal for Florida drivers under the age of majority to use a cell phone while driving. Those who violate the law will receive a ticket. As well, if the act passes, it would require Florida drivers under the age of 18 to display a tag identifying them as minors. The bill would also make it illegal for school bus drivers to use mobile devices while driving.

Currently, there is a national texting ban for truck drivers and school bus drivers. Many states have passed laws which make texting and driving illegal for all drivers in that state. A few states have also banned the use of cell-phones while driving, although hands-free sets are still allowed.

Although Florida has attempted to pass similar rules, these bills have not been able to pass into law. Although these bills have wide-spread support, many people are so reliant on mobile devices that they do not want to see a text ban passed. As well, some law enforcement agencies have stated that enforcing any such laws would be very difficult as drivers tend to text below the level of the windshield or the car windows, making the activity hard to notice. The Minor Traffic Safety Act may be a step towards a more wide-spread ban, if it passes.

Continue reading "Could Florida Ban Young Distracted Drivers?" »

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 2430 fatalities in 2010 caused by Florida car accidents. This represents the smallest number of fatalities seen since 1978, even though the population of Florida has grown significantly since that time. However, while these numbers are cheering, the fact is that there are still too many deaths and serious personal injuries resulting from Florida traffic accidents. There are ways to help reduce these numbers even further:

1) Enact texting bans. Many legislators and experts have been calling for a text ban for drivers. Many states already have such bans in place to help prevent distracted driving. There is a well-established link between distracted drivers and accidents. According to the NHTSA, 448 000 people were injured and 5474 were killed in 2009 due to distracted driving. Of these injuries and fatalities, 24 000 injuries and 5474 fatalities were linked to cell phone use by a driver. However, the measure to ban texting has proven controversial. Currently, there are two bills which could be considered by Florida legislature: H.B. 79 and S.B. 158. Both would limit or ban the use of wireless devices in cars.

2) Encourage more public awareness campaigns and enforcement campaigns. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, increased seat belt use (due in part to public awareness campaigns) and efforts by law enforcement are partly responsible for the lowered Florida car accident fatality rates. Encouraging enforcement and public awareness can hopefully help to drop the numbers of injuries and deaths even more.

3) Enforce drunk driving laws. Florida drunk driving accidents are still a serious problem. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 770 out of 2558 Florida car accident fatalities in 2009 were the result of drunk driving. Only Texas and California had higher rates of drunk driving fatalities.

4) Better training. A number of studies have suggested that graduated licensing and other programs designed to encourage additional driver training ensure that all drivers on the roads have the skills needed to stay safe. Ensuring that teens and young drivers get more training can help reduce accidents involving younger drivers.

Continue reading "Making Florida’s Roads Safer and Preventing Car Accidents" »

Since 2004, those seeking learners permit in Florida had the option of testing for their learners permit online. However, this option has been removed after officials discovered that over half of those who passed their learners permit test online could not pass the same test in person. The online learners permit test program officially ended with the close of 2010 after officials determined that the online testing option did not adequately test knowledge.

The change is meant to improve the safety standards for young drivers and new drivers. In 2009, a test of the online learners permit test was conducted when the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) re-tested 601 people in person. All of the examined persons had initialed passed their learners permit test online but 59% of these people were not able to answer enough basic rules-of-the-road questions in person to pass a learners permit test.

The online test was an additional source of revenue for Florida, with the state making up to three million dollars annually from the test. The online test was fee based, with applicants paying $20-$33 each for the option to take the test online. The in-person learners permit test has always been a no-cost option.

Police officers support the measure to enforce in-person testing for new drivers. Some have stated that the online option may encourage some applicants to cheat. As well, some police officers have expressed concern that those who cannot pass an in-person learners permit test may not have adequate knowledge of the rules of the road and may have a higher risk of causing Florida pedestrian accidents, car accidents, and other traffic accidents.

Now, applicants in Florida will need to pass their learners permit in persona at a tax collector’s office or at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It is unknown whether those who have already passed the test online will need to go through the process again. Currently, there are no reported studies to test the effects of online learners permit testing on Florida car accident rates.

Continue reading "Can Online Learning Increase The Risk of Florida Car Accidents?" »

Even though graduated licensing and awareness campaigns exist to alert teens of the dangers of drunk driving and other dangerous behaviors behind the wheel, statistics show that many Florida car accidents involving teens are still highly preventable. In many cases, these accidents are caused by teens who speed, drive distracted, or drive drunk. Even though teens may know that such behaviors are wrong, they sometimes still engage in these behaviors.

Experts believe that lack of driving experience, emotional immaturity, and a belief that dangerous behaviors won’t result in serious consequences ensure that teens still engage in risky and dangerous driving. According to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and other advocacy groups, it is important for parents to sit down with their teen drivers to discuss dangerous driving. These discussions should include:

1) Set rules. It is important for parents to set rules with their teens. Rules for teen drivers can include things such as “no drinking and driving,” “no cell phone use of any kind while driving,” and “no more than two passengers at a time” can be good places to start.

2) An explanation of how dangerous reckless driving can be. Even though teens may have heard about the dangers of using a cell phone, drinking and driving, and speeding, they need to hear about these things from their parents, too. Keep in mind that many teens feel “it can’t happen to me,” which is why they go ahead and engage in risky behaviors. As a result, it is important to show how Florida car accidents can happen to them. Show them graphically what can happen in an accident – have them chat with Florida burn injury victims or others who have been injured in an accident. Contact your local MADD chapter and law enforcement – they usually have community liaisons and educational materials you can share with your teens. Strive to make the dangers of car accidents real.

3) Repetition. It’s a message that is worth repeating. The more often your teen drivers hear about the dangers of speeding, distracted driving, and drinking and driving, the more likely they are to take the message seriously. Have more than one talk with your teens and arrange for MADD or local law enforcement to visit your teen’s school.

4) Consequences. Make sure that you discuss the consequences for your teen driver speeding, driving drunk, or driving distracted. Make it clear what you will need to do in the event that your teen does decide to drive unsafely. Your teen should know that there are consequences to dangerous driving – even when it does not cause an accident.

5) Options. Give your teen options to driving unsafely. For example, make sure your teen knows that they can always call you (and preferably a few other family members) to get a safe drive home when they need it – no questions asked. Repeat the message often. If your teens know that there is a safe alternative and there will be no punishment, they are more likely to make the safer choice.

Continue reading "Prevent Teen Car Accidents in Florida by Having a Chat with Your Teens " »

There are many medical conditions which require medical clearance before someone with these conditions is permitted to drive. A new study suggests that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) might be added to that list if communities want to prevent traffic accidents. The study, completed at the University of Toronto by Dr. Donald Redelmeier and a team of researchers found that a significant number of car accidents involving teen boys may be caused in part by behavior issues and behavior disorders caused by conditions such as ADHD.

According to the study, some accidents might be prevented if teen drivers with ADHD and other behavior disorders were compelled to get doctors’ approval before getting their license. According to Dr. Redelmeier, conditions such as ADHD can be compared to conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, and narcolepsy. According to findings by Dr. Redelmeier and his researchers, drivers should have to show that they are controlling their conditions and are fit to drive.

Dr. Redelmeier and his team found that teens between the ages of 16 and 19 who had behavior disorders may have a higher risk of car crashes. Surprisingly, the study also found that teens with ADHD were more likely to be injured in pedestrian accidents involving cars. The study tested 3,421 teens who needed hospital treatment after a car accident. The study followed the teens over a period of seven years and found that 402 of the teens were diagnosed at some point with ADHD while 767 were diagnosed with some behavior disorder.

The study focused on teen boys between the ages of 16 and 19 because this group is the most likely to be involved in vehicle accidents. While this age group accounts for only 3% of drivers, they account for 6% of all traffic accidents. This is despite the fact that teen boys drive less than other age groups and enjoy better health than older age groups.

While the study may suggest a way of preventing Florida car accidents and even Florida pedestrian accidents, there are some limits to the study. Behavior disorders are notably difficult to diagnose, so it was difficult for researchers to ensure that none of the teen boys in the study were in fact not misdiagnosed. As well, the study did not consider whether the boys in the study were the cause of the accident.

Continue reading "Florida Car Accidents and ADHD" »

According to the CDC (the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), teen drivers in rural areas have a higher fatality rate when it comes to car accidents than city teen drivers. According to the CDC, the highest fatality rate for young drivers is in Wyoming. In that state, about 60 car accident fatalities occur for every 100 000 people between the ages of 16 and 17. In New York and New Jersey, there are strict laws governing young drivers and these states have low fatality rates for teens – about 10 in 100 000.

In Florida, however, teen drivers seem to have a disproportionately high rate of car accident fatalities. In Alachua County, for example, there are only 22 345 residents who are between 15 and 10 years old. However, the county has seen 27 teen Florida car accident fatalities in five years. In Marion County, there are 15 419 teen drivers, but in the last five years, there have been 40 traffic fatalities involving teens.

Florida has launched a number of initiatives to help prevent Florida car accidents involving young drivers. For example, the Florida Highway Patrol's Teen Driver Safety Week is a state-wide effort to reduce car accidents, distracted driving, and Florida drunk driving accidents involving teens. According to research released by the CDC, there may be good reason to target young drivers. The CDC reports that car accidents are the leading cause of death for US teens and Florida teens. One third of deaths among teens occur during car accidents.

Although fatal Florida car accidents involving teens declined 21% between 2008 and 2009, experts say there is still plenty of room for improvement. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, teen drivers have the highest car accident rates of any age group. They are least experienced also most likely to take risks. In car accidents involving teen drivers, careless driving is the most common cause of accidents, followed closely by drunk driving.

Experts say that Florida’s efforts to rein in young drivers have been preventing car accidents involving young drivers. Graduated licensing, seat belt laws, strict drunk driving laws, and laws restricting teens from driving late at night all work together to ensure that teens are less often in dangerous situations which can lead to a Florida car accident. Despite this, however, Florida teens continue to die needlessly in car accidents and continue to suffer serious injuries as a result of car accidents. Many teens with serious Florida spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, and other life-long injuries sustain these injuries in car accidents.

Continue reading "Florida Car Accidents Involving Teen Drivers" »

Some universities in Florida and across the country are starting awareness campaigns to warn student drivers about the dangers of distracted driving in a bid to reduce the number of Florida car accidents and pedestrian accidents. Campaigns such as the “Put Down Ur Cell Fone” campaign try to raise awareness among the students about distracted driving through on-campus signage and demonstrations. The message is clear: to reduce your risk of causing a Florida pedestrian accident or car accident, put away your cell phone when getting behind the wheel of your car.

Targeting student drivers may be a smart move, since according to some studies, drivers under the age of 20 have the highest number of drivers who routinely drive distracted. According to some statistics, up to 16% of under-20 drivers drive distracted. The dangers of this type of behavior are well documented. A study by the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis found that 6% of all car collisions are related to cell phone use. Cell phone use causes 636, 000 car accidents each year, and these accidents result in 330 000 injuries and 2 600 fatalities.

Cell phones are not the only danger. According to studies conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute 65% of near-accidents and 80% of all car accidents involve a driver who was distracted by some activity within three seconds of the collision or near-miss. Distracted driving can include texting, cell phone use, talking to passengers, adjusting music, searching for an item, eating, drinking, applying makeup, and any number of other activities. Researchers are very clear: don’t attempt to multitask while you drive.

Some states have banned texting while driving, but Florida so far has not taken that step. Nevertheless, law enforcement would like to see drivers voluntarily putting their mobile devices away when driving. Any distractions take away your focus and your eyes from the road. Even if this happens for only a few seconds, that is more than enough time for a Florida car accident to take place.

Distracted drivers face penalties for reckless driving. As well, if someone causes a crash because they have chosen to drive distracted, they can be held liable for the accident and can be sued. Insurance rates for such drivers also tend to increase. It is smartest – and safest – to put your entire focus on the road while driving.

Continue reading "Distracted Driving a Concern for Law Enforcement Trying to Halt Florida Car Accidents " »

Teens often enjoy the freedom of commuting to school and most parents support the idea. However a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety suggests that teen commutes may contribute to Florida car accidents and accidents across the country. Researchers at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety collected data on accidents between 2001 and 2004 and found that there was an increase in car accident rates during school commutes in the afternoon and morning. As well, researchers found that about 30% of car accidents involving drivers between 16 and 17 years old occurred during school commute times.

According to researchers, many evening car accidents involving teen drivers take place due to drinking and driving or speeding, but this is not the case with school commute time accidents. Instead, researchers concluded that distraction and fatigue are the contributing causes in these accidents.

According to Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), there are several things that can be done to help prevent Florida pedestrian accidents and traffic accidents during school rush hours:

1) Let your teen know about the dangers. Teen drivers may assume that commute drives are safer because they do not take place at night. Share statistics about school commute accident rates and encourage your teen drivers to stay extra alert.

2) Do not let your teen drive tired. Have your teen agree to drive only if they have gotten eight hours or more of sleep a night. Offer a ride if your teen has been staying up late or is under stress due to exams or school work.

3) Encourage your teen drivers to stay out of cars where other teen drivers display unsafe driver behavior. Teens often commute together and sometimes take turns carpooling. However, teens may also feel peer pressure not to speak up if a driver is driving distracted or tired.

Continue reading "Help Your Teens Commute Safely and Help Them Avoid Florida Car Accidents" »

Driver training and licensing are meant to ensure that all new Florida drivers have the basic skills needed to safely operate a car. Despite this, young drivers and new drivers do have a higher accident rate. Partly, this is because even the most advanced Florida driving schools and training classes simply cannot cover all the possible elements of driving safely. Most schools do not carefully instruct drivers about driving in bad weather, night driving, and other necessary driving skills. There is simply no time. As well, even the best Florida driving instruction classes do not make up for practice, which is really what is needed to improve your driving skills.

If you are a new driver – whether you are 16 or 60 – you can help prevent Florida car accidents by exercising some additional precautions for the first 3-6 months after you get your license:

1) Get additional training. The driver’s training you take to obtain your license is usually very rudimentary. Additional training with a qualified instructor can help you hone your skills and can help you stay more confident behind the wheel. Defensive training, additional in-car sessions, and even racing schools are excellent investments that can help you avoid accidents and injuries.

2) Drive with an experienced driver. Driving occasionally with a good driver can help ensure that you don’t develop bad habits early on. A good driver can notice and help gently correct and problems you are having.

3) Avoid night driving until your driving skills improve. Night driving means lower visibility as well as more intoxicated drivers on the road. Since your driving skills and defensive driving skills are only developing, it is too easy to get involved in a Florida drunk driving accident because of someone else’s negligence. If you need to drive at night, at least get some in-car night driving training with a qualified instructor first.

4) Do not drink and drive. Even small amounts of alcohol (amounts that keep you below the legal limit) can make you drowsy and can affect your driving skills. Do not add to Florida drunk driving statistics – do not have any alcohol while driving. As well, take another look at the over-the-counter medications and prescription medications you take. Do any of them make you drowsy? If so, talk to your doctor about getting different medication, since these substances can also increase your risk for accidents.

5) Do not take on passengers until you improve your skills. Passengers are a distraction, even when they don’t mean to distract. The more passengers you take on, the greater your risk of being in a Florida pedestrian accident or traffic accident. Wait until you hone your skills first.

For many Florida teens, a driver’s license is a rite of passage. Even with graduated licensing, getting a Florida driving license involves getting a permit and getting basic training behind the wheel. While teens have to pass a road test to get their driver’s license, most newly-licensed teens do not have the extensive experience needed to stay truly safe on the roads. As well, many teen drivers may be at risk because they are easily swayed by peer pressure and because some teens overestimate their driving skills.

Although teens account for only 7% of all drivers, nearly 14% of fatal car accidents involve teen drivers. Male teens under 24 years of age have a an auto-related death rate that is 2.5 times the national average. For teens ages 15-19, car accidents are the leading cause of death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4, 877 teens were killed in 2000 alone as a result of preventable car accidents. Many more sustained serious injuries as a result of accidents. According to the NHTSA, 36% of teens involved in car accidents in 2000 were drinking and 58% were speeding when a collision took place. In addition to causing injuries to teen drivers, car accidents involving teen drivers also cause serious injuries to innocent motorists and bystanders. Many Florida head injuries, spinal cord injuries and other serious injuries are caused by teen drivers each year.

Researcher Dr. Dennis Doverspike has studied teen drivers and risk-taking attitudes among teens at the University of Akron and has concluded that it can take years for driving skills to develop and most teens simply do not have those years of on-the-road experience it takes for driving to become automatic. As well, Dr. Doverspike notes that no states require teens to demonstrate a proficiency in high-speed traffic or different weather conditions before getting a license.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), many accidents involving teen drivers occur when a driver has been drinking, during recreational driving, after dark, and when there are multiple passengers in the car. However, according to the NHSTA, when parents become more involved, teen car accident risks can dip. There are many things that the NHSTA reports parents can do to help keep teen drivers safe:

1) Insist on seat belt use. According to the most recent statistics, up to 50% of teens who were killed in car accidents in previous years were not wearing their seat belt at the time of impact. Many Florida spinal cord injuries and brain injuries could be prevented each year as well if everyone wore a seat belt every time they stepped into a car.

2) Get familiar with your teen’s driving habits. Drive with your teen. Does he or she drive aggressively, use a cell phone while driving, or exhibit other bad habits? Consider your own habits – are you a good role model for your teen when it comes to driving? If your teen is making dangerous mistakes, consider additional training and classes to boost your teen’s driving skills.

3) Discourage your teen from taking the car on the weekend and at night. This is when car accidents are most likely to happen. At the very least, ensure that your teen gets some training with a professional instructor specifically addressing high-traffic driving and night driving.

4) Have your teen pay their own car insurance. Since any infraction can increase premiums, this can be a nice motivator for your teen to keep their records clean.

5) Restrict the number of friends your teen can have in the car at one time. Teen drivers are more likely to crash if they have multiple passengers.

According to Allstate, May, June, July, and August are the deadliest months for teen drivers, with the majority of teen car accidents taking place during these months. Each year, according to statistics, about 5,000 teen drivers die on the roads. In addition, many more Florida young drivers are seriously hurt or cause serious Florida pedestrian accidents or bicycle accidents on the roads. Even with graduated licensing programs, which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claims can reduce car accidents by 20-50%, teens are still at risk for motor vehicle accidents, especially at this time of year.

According to experts, there are many things that parents can do to help their children drive safely this summer:

1) Remind your child to use a seat belt each time they drive. Many Florida brain injuries sustained in car accidents take place because a passenger or driver failed to wear a seat belt. It takes only a few seconds to buckle up, but it can prevent your teen from flying through a windshield in the event of an accident.

2) Give your child license to call you at any time for a ride with no questions asked – and stick to it. Make sure that your teen never drives drunk. Underage Florida drunk driving accidents claim far too many lives each year. Many teens fear the repercussions if their parents find out that they have been drinking or doing drugs, which is why a “no questions, no punishment” rule is important.

3) Tell your teen driver about the dangers of speeding. Speeding reduces response times and increases the odds of fatalities in the event of a collision. Speeding also makes it more likely that minor traffic mistakes end up becoming serious accidents.

4) Enforce a no-distraction rule. Distracted driving causes many Florida car accidents involving young drivers. Young drivers, especially, need to focus on the road as they perfect their driving skills. You may want to institute a no-passenger ban until your teen has honed their driving skills. Also, make sure that your teen does not talk or text on a cell phone when driving. Consider calling them up when you know they will be driving. If they pick up, set an appropriate punishment.

In Florida, as in most of the country, teens need to be 16 years old and properly licensed to operate a motor vehicle. Despite this, some parents allow their underage and unlicensed children to drive a car. In some cases, children simply take their parents’ car without permission. Unfortunately, some driving video games give children the impression that they can drive. If these underage drivers cause a traffic accident, the resulting legal actions can be quite complex because in many cases it is the parents who are held liable for their children’s behavior.

While there are not very many Florida car accidents caused by underage drivers, underage driving is a concern. Unlicensed minors do not have the training or knowledge to operate a car and are therefore far more likely to cause car accidents, pedestrian accidents, and other traffic problems. In most cases, children under the age of 16 who are caught by police behind the wheel of a car are not driving correctly, which is how they are noticed in the first place. In many instances, these children have already caused some property damage or an accident before they are pulled over.

FL Statute 322.35 clearly states that no person can allow their ward or child under the age of 18 to drive their car if the minor is not authorized to do so. The driver's manual for Florida indicates that allowing an unlicensed person to drive your car can result in a fine or even jail time.

In many cases, Florida underage drivers face up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine on the first offence because the incident is often classified as a second-degree misdemeanor. Second offenses are often given a $1000 fine and a year in jail while third offenses are usually classified as a third-degree felony, which can carry a $5000 fine and up to five years of jail time. If an underage driver causes an accident that results in a brain injury or other serious brain injury, usually the parents of the driver face legal action as the victims of the accident try to recover the costs of lost income and medical bills. The owner of the car or the child’s parents may also face jail time and fines, even if no lawsuit is filed.

In many accidents involving underage drivers, speed and carelessness are a contributing factor. In some cases, the untrained and unlicensed drivers simply do not know the rules of the road and therefore cannot adhere to them. In other cases, underage drivers cannot reach the floor pedals or correctly see in the mirrors because they are too young and too small to drive a car. In some cases, fatal Florida car accidents have been caused by drivers who were ten years old or younger.

If you have sustained an injury as a result of a Florida car accident caused by an underage driver, you will need a qualified Florida personal injury attorney. Such cases are challenging. Underage drivers obviously have no insurance and the insurance provider for the car’s owner is typically reluctant to pay any claims on the incident because no underage driver was supposed to be driving the vehicle. In many cases, parents of the driver will not admit to allowing their underage driver to take the car. It takes a good Florida attorney and a team of investigators, in many cases, to determine a pattern of negligence that allowed the driver to get behind the wheel of the car.

Most Florida parents are happy when their teens eventually get their license. While most parents of course worry about Florida car accident statistics and hope that their child is never in a serious car crash, most parents do not worry about the liability and the legal risks they take on when their teen gets behind the wheel. However, it is true: parents can be held partly responsible for any accident their underage teen driver causes. There are many ways that parents can face a lawsuit:

1) By signing a driver’s license application for your minor driver. In most cases, your signature means that you are liable for the negligent driving – and the accidents it causes – of your teen driver. This liability lasts until the teen’s eighteenth birthday. Some insurance policies cover this liability, but you need to speak to your insurance provider to determine whether your policy covers it. The only way to avoid this liability is to withdraw your support via the Florida department of motor vehicles. You can also wait until your child is 18 before allowing them a license. Otherwise, you are partly liable if your teen is one of the hundreds each year that causes a Florida drunk driving accident or a pedestrian accident.

2) By being the registered owner of the vehicle your teen drives. Many parents buy their teen’s first car or have at least partial ownership. Sometimes, this is done as a gift or to keep insurance costs down. Either way, if your teen driver is under eighteen and you are listed as the owner of their vehicle, you may be held partly liable if your teen’s negligence leads to a car accident in Florida. Even if you are not officially the owner of the car but helped to pay for the car, you could be held liable. If you should have known that your teen was unqualified to drive (because of a drinking problem or a tendency to speed) you might also be liable for considerable punitive damages.

3) By being aware of your teen’s problems. If you knew that your teen driver had an alcohol problem, drug problem, or other behavioral problem that could make them dangerous behind the wheel, you could be held partly liable for gross negligence if you did not take enough steps to prevent your child from endangering others by driving. This type of supervision liability is not usually covered by car insurance or homeowner’s insurance and the punitive damages that can result if you are found liable can be substantial.

4) By not having enough insurance. Florida drivers with teenage drivers in their house need an excellent car insurance policy and an umbrella coverage on top of that. Look for a policy with plenty of liability coverage. If your insurance does not cover a car accident your teen has caused, you could find your personal assets in threatened. A serious Florida car accident, however, can easily cause millions of dollars in damages, so you need to ensure that your insurance can cover these costs so that your assets stay safe.

While many young Florida drivers are responsible and safe drivers, young drivers as a whole are more likely to make specific types of driving mistakes which can and do contribute to Florida pedestrian accidents and car accidents:

1) Speeding. Car accidents involving young Florida drivers often include speeding. In 2005, a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health found that teen drivers tend to drive 1.3 mph than drivers of other age groups. Younger drivers sometimes feel invincible or lack the experience to keep track of their speed. As well, many drivers do not yet have the driving skills to deal with sudden obstacles at high speeds, making them more likely to be in a collision when they do exceed the speed limit.

2) Distracted driving. A 2007 survey by State Farm Insurance found that half of teen drivers admitted to talking on their cell phones while driving. A 2006 Virginia Tech survey found that distracted driving contributed to nearly 80% of traffic accidents. Other studies have concluded that texting while driving is as dangerous as drunk driving.

3) Timid driving. While some young Florida drivers speed, others feel uncertain behind the wheel and drive too slowly or uncertainty. This, too, can lead to a car accident or bicycle accident. Going too slowly on exit ramps or highways or hesitating when changing lanes can slow down traffic and cause dangerous bottlenecks.

4) Risk-taking. Teen drivers will sometimes take risks – such as failing to slow down in bad weather or failing to check blind spots. Such risk-taking leads to Florida pedestrian accidents, car accidents, and other types of accidents. Studies conducted by Cornell and Stanford researchers have found that teen minds seem more predisposed to risk-taking and impulsive action.

5) Brining too many passengers. Your drivers will sometimes fill their cars to excess, something that the NIH has concluded can increase risk-taking and aggressive driving. The NIH has found that both male and female teen drivers are more likely to tailgate and speed when male passengers drive in the front seat. A 2000 Johns Hopkins University study found that 16-year-old drivers faced double the risk of a fatal car accident when driving with passengers. When the same drivers had three or more passengers, their risk of being in a fatal car accident tripled.

6) Drunk driving. Numerous studies have suggested that teens drink. Drinking and driving not only leads to poor motor skills, distraction, and accidents, but it can also cause teens to make poor choices behind the wheel. For example, studies have shown that teens who drink and drive are less likely to wear seat belts. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 74% of 15- to 20-year-olds killed in drunk driving accidents in 2003 were not wearing a seat belt at the time of their accident. When Florida teens do not wear their seat belts, any car accident is more likely to result in Florida brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other serious injuries.