Aggressive Teen Drivers

Are you worried about your teen aggressive driving or road rage? If you have a teenage driver in your family, you may worry about your child being harmed through road rage by other drivers. However, a more serious risk may come from your teen themself. Aggressive driving is a widespread threat to traffic safety, and teenagers are especially likely to perpetrate this bad habit. Loud music, unbridled emotion and a permissive culture can play parts in teens’ aggressive outbursts that happen while driving.

Anger, adrenaline or just plain peer pressure can result in a teenager running a red light or passing cars dangerously. These driver actions have been identified with aggression, along with speeding, tailgating and failing to signal.

In addition to causing a serious or fatal accident, your child could face traffic citations or lawsuits resulting from accidents.

Aggressive driving is now a recognized public safety threat that law-enforcement agencies are actively addressing. The possibility of being pulled over and held accountable for dangerous driving behavior is very real. Parents can help by learning about the issue.

Driving Environment
A British traffic safety study showed that loud noise can enhance an already agitated mood. A car full of excited teenagers who turn the stereo volume way up is increasing their risk for a driving mishap. In order to be heard above the music, they may resort to shouting or screaming—further ratcheting up the local tension.

In such an environment, a teenage driver who is already having an emotional episode or who is distracted by conversation will pay less attention to the multiple tasks of driving. This can be proven as negligence if personal injury results from an accident. You and your teen could find yourselves liable for physical and mental health damages to friends or strangers.

To alert your child to the serious consequences of aggressive driving, talk to them about how emotions and driving can mix. Having control of one’s faculties while steering is essential to safety. Point out that unobstructed vision is crucial, and that simple acts such as crying, changing a music track, or making eye contact with another driver instead of the road can cause a wreck.

Set an Example
Additional research has shown that, while Americans fear aggressive driving in others, they tend to deny it in their own behavior. As your teen learns to drive, watch your own road habits. Do you curse at or rage about other drivers’ speed, interval or signaling? Do you use the accelerator to underscore a point as you’re talking? Modeling controlled behavior is essential, especially if you lecture your child on the subject.

While lectures may go unheeded by teenagers, being treated as responsible young adult drivers will make them sit up and take notice. Do talk with them about the risks of aggressive driving, which is now known to be a contributing factor in many collisions. Pass along tips from a popular automotive Website. Share safety news from your auto insurance company with them at a meaningful time—perhaps when you are handing them the car keys.

Medical Issues
Some medical issues can increase the likelihood of your teen driver expressing aggression behind the wheel. Seeking professional help before your child passes their first drivers’ exam can help stave off fender benders or more serious accidents.

Consider aggressive driving to be a risk if your teen:

• Takes multiple medications
• Is diagnosed with mania or anxiety
• Displays anger problem

Dealing with mental health issues and medication management is a preventive tool for parents who worry about teen driving safety. Seeking medical advice early on can keep kids safe.

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