Warning Signs Your Teenager is an Dangerous behind the Wheel

The process of getting a driver’s license just the beginning for young adults on their journey to become safe and responsible drivers. It’s National Teen Driver Safety Week and police are asking parents and caregivers to know seven “red flags” that could help parents determine if their child is safe behind the driving.

“Getting insight into how your child drives is a challenge since we know people are more diligent when someone that loves them is watching,” explains Col. Matthew C. Packard who is the chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “This list provides some common indicators for parents to be aware of when to engage in an honest dialogue with their child, and maybe put away the keys until trust is rebuilt. As tough as it is to be a parent, it’s crucial that parents remain engaged, as we recognize that the initial years behind the wheel can be dangerous as new drivers get experience.”

In the time that the Colorado State Patrol looked at the three years that had the most crash data that included fatalities and injuries (2019-2021) for drivers at fault between the ages of 16-21 The most common crash-caused factors were:

1. Distraction – inattentive to driving
2. Excessing a lawful and safe speed
3. Lane violation – traveled outside of its designated lane
4. Impaired driving
5. Inability to yield right-ofway

In fact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that drivers younger than 20 years old are three times more likely to be in a car crash then all other drivers. So how can a parent know when they should be concerned?

Seven Warning Signs 

1. She/he has always a friend or two at the wheel. Your teen may argue that carpooling is beneficial for the environment and helps save gas, but travelling with passengers increases the likelihood that they’ll be involved in a car accident.
   1. Colorado GDL Laws state that for the first six months, no passengers under 21 are allowed (siblings and medical emergencies exempted) except a parent or other licensed adult over 21 is in the vehicle .
   2. For the next 6 months, there will be one person who is under 21.
2. You see them not wearing an appropriate seat belt. If you still have to remind your teenager to wear their seat belts, they’ve probably not realized the severity of a possible crash.
3. Your child responds to your texts or calls when you know he/she is driving. If your teenager is frequently answering your texts or calls while they’re behind the wheel, then chances are they usually answer calls or texts from other people, too.
4. The car is filled with food wrappers or you notice makeup on the driver’s seat or vanity mirror. A good place to spot signs that you are driving in a dangerous manner is within your teen’s car. Applying makeup and eating food while driving are also types of distracted driving that can be extremely dangerous.
5. Your child is home at night farther and further past curfew. Parents may have established specific curfews for their teenagers, however the state also enforces curfews on drivers under 18 years of age. According to Colorado the first year of being a licensed driver, your teenager must abide by the curfew that prohibits driving between midnight and 5 a.m. unless the driver is accompanied by an instructor or parents or guardians.
6. He/she is always blasting an incessant stream of music from the car. If you can hear your teenager coming through the streets, then the music is to a dangerously loud. Music that is loud creates a serious risk for drivers, which makes it difficult to detect the important audible signals coming from other motorists, such as a car horn or another vehicle speeding along.
7. Your child has had a number of collisions and collisions. When learning to drive every driver makes mistakes. Most likely, the mistakes aren’t too serious and nobody gets injured. However, if your teenager has accumulated a lot of scratches and dings to the car, or has been injured in several accidents, it might be time to reduce your driving rights until they’ve had more time to practice.

Extended Coverage Indication Your Teen is an Unsafe when driving. Related Indication Your Teenager is an Risky Driver.