Youth is considered something to be cherished, and enjoyed, which often means young people are allowed some flexibility when it comes to rules and regulations. While lack of accountability for television time, data usage on their smartphone, or breaking curfew might be ok occasionally, one area that allows NO wiggle room is how your young driver behaves behind the wheel. Driving is a huge responsibility, and should be treated as such, regardless of age. Failing to do so can have disastrous consequences, as one young driver found out recently when she drove her vehicle through the back of a Hillsborough County home.
A female drive, 17-years old, was speeding on Whisper Creek Drive on September 1st, 2017. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the young lady lost control, went up over an embankment, through a fence, and into the back of a residence. Fortunately, the owners of the home were just waking up, and heard the accident occur from upstairs. The driver sustained only minor injuries, but her lack of judgment could have left someone seriously injured, or worse, have killed an innocent bystander. Even still, she left the house with significant damage and a homeowner unable to use a portion of her home.
While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent situations like this from occurring, there are precautions you can take with your new driver to encourage their success behind the wheel.
- Speeding is NEVER ok. The speed limits are there for the safety of your young driver and others, so obey them.
- Distracted driving is dangerous driving. Tell your teen to put down his or her phone, keep the music at a moderate level, and keep interaction with friends and/or passengers to a minimum.
- Driving under the influence is never worth the risk. It’s against the law, and it could take the life of your child, or the lives of others. Have a pickup policy in place if your teen gets in a bind. It’s better to have an open conversation and understanding, than have your young person in a serious accident because they were afraid to call you when they made a mistake.
We know that responsibility is developed with age and experience in many cases, but driving isn’t one of those cases. It should be ingrained early on, and if you don’t feel confident that your teen is taking it seriously or grasping the importance of what you’re teaching, then he or she isn’t ready to be behind the wheel. It’s that simple. If you or someone you love has been injured as the result of a vehicle accident due to the negligence of another, we’re ready to help you get the compensation you deserve. Residents throughout the Tampa Bay area know that when the unexpected happens, WE STAND FOR YOU!