USA Today reports that parents are turning to teen driving contracts in an effort to help regulate the behavior of their young drivers behind the wheel.
As we reported last month on our New York Injury Lawyer Blog, authorities are also encouraging parents to become more active in the driver’s education process.
As we frequently report, car accidents are the leading cause of death for teen drivers ages 15 to 20, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
New York car accidents involving teen drivers killed 181 motorists in 2008. Nationwide, more than 6,400 motorists were killed in accidents involving young drivers. More than 228,000 were injured.
Driving contracts have been around for years, but the low-tech solution is enjoying a bit of a resurgence in today’s decidedly high-tech world. The contracts typically restrict a teen’s driving rights and provide more freedom as a young driver becomes more experienced behind the wheel. The contracts also clearly spell out the penalties for violations.
Many insurance companies encourage the contracts and some provide policy discounts for parents and teenagers who have executed a written agreement.
“It’s a way for parents and teens to engage with each other and agree on what the consequences are,” says Arlene Greenspan, who is with the Injury Center at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Writing it down clarifies for everybody what the rules are.”
The AAA New York Teen Driving Contract is available here.
If you have been injured in a car accident in the New York City or Long Island areas, contact the Law Offices of Nicholas Rose to discuss your rights. Call 718.261.0549.
