Tips for New Mexico Teen Drivers
August 8 2014
Obtaining a New Mexico drivers license is a major step into adulthood. Parents need to be concerned when their teens are learning how to drive. Most of us know that teen drivers are more likely to be involved in car accidents than during their adult years. Recently AAA conducted a research study into teen car accidents and has confirmed this to be statistically accurate. However, AAA also made a shocking finding within the study: “Teens are most likely to crash within the first month of obtaining their driver’s license”.
New Mexico has a graduated driver’s license law for 15 and 16-year-olds. Teens must drive 50 hours with an adult over 21 in order to earn an unrestricted driver’s license. During that time parents must teach their teen driver to stay safe on the road:
- FOCUS ON THE ROAD – A separate study found 58 percent of teens admitted to using a cell phone while driving. Remind your teen driver not to talk on the phone while driving, and texting on a hand-held device even while stopped is illegal in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
- BAD WEATHER DRIVING – Driving during bad weather such as rain, snow and ice can be challenging even to the most experienced driver. One way to prepare for adverse weather conditions is to practice in an empty parking lot. Teach your teen what to do when the car skids in snow or how to avoid an accident if the car hydroplanes.
- DO NOT SPEED – Teach your teen driver that 45 percent of all teen car accidents are caused by speeding. Advise them that being a little late to an appointment is much better than being killed in a car wreck or killing someone else.
With these three important teen driving tips, your teen driver should have a safe start. However, if If you or your teen was injured in a car accident contact an Albuquerque car accident attorney. Ron Bell personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation to those who have been injured in a car collision. We provide legal advice and represent accident victims in obtaining compensation for damages, lost wages, property damage, and medical bills.