Fall is here, and in Stillwater, that means football season is in full swing. Friday nights are for roaring crowds, marching bands, and thrilling touchdowns. But while the excitement electrifies the town, there’s also an unfortunate downside that parents of teen drivers should keep in mind. The combination of young, inexperienced drivers and the chaos of football season creates a potentially dangerous mix on our roads.
Teen drivers already face heightened risks behind the wheel due to their inexperience. Add the distractions, late-night driving, and bustling traffic of fall football season to the equation, and the result can be a recipe for disaster. Here’s why fall can be a particularly risky time for teen drivers and how parents can encourage safe driving habits that could save lives.
Why Fall Football Season Puts Teen Drivers at Greater Risk
1. Distractions Are Everywhere
From carloads of excited friends heading to the game to the relentless temptation of texting about the score, distractions are amplified during football season. For teens, the thrill of a big game can make focusing on the task of driving even harder.
Remember, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lists distracted driving as a leading cause of car accidents among teens. Even glancing at a phone or letting friends' conversations get too loud can lead to devastating consequences.
2. Late-Night Drives After Games
Football games often wrap up late in the evening, which leads to increased night driving. Dim visibility, tired drivers, and unpredictable pedestrians exiting stadiums create a risky environment, especially for inexperienced drivers. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash per mile driven at night than during the day.
3. Heavier Traffic Around Stadiums
On game nights in towns like Stillwater, traffic around Boone Pickens Stadium and local high schools swells with vehicles and pedestrians alike. The roads get crowded and chaotic between families parking for tailgates and students rushing to beat kickoff. Navigating this traffic safely is challenging, even for seasoned drivers.
4. Peer Pressure and Risky Driving
Game nights are social events, and teens often feel pressured to impress friends. Speeding, tailgating, and reckless maneuvers can result from trying to show off or get to the game faster. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the presence of teen passengers increases crash risk for new drivers.
How Parents and Teens Can Reduce Risks
Though fall football season brings unique challenges for teen drivers, parents can play a key role in keeping their kids safe on the road. Here are some actionable safety tips:
1. Set Ground Rules for Driving
Establish clear house rules for driving. These might include:
- No phone use while driving.
- A curfew for being back home after games.
- Limiting the number of passengers allowed in the car.
Remind your teen that Oklahoma has graduated driver’s license (GDL) laws that restrict late-night driving and passenger limits for newly licensed drivers under 18.
2. Encourage a “No-Texting” Pledge
Lead by example and ask your teen to never text or scroll while driving. Consider downloading apps or utilizing settings like “Do Not Disturb While Driving” to block notifications while they’re behind the wheel.
3. Practice Defensive Driving Skills
Spending time practicing safe driving can make a big difference. Take your teen out for practice drives around high-traffic zones near football stadiums, so they can get comfortable navigating these environments under your guidance.
4. Reinforce the Importance of Seatbelt Use
Make sure your teen understands that wearing a seatbelt is non-negotiable. Insist that every person in the car buckles up, every time.
5. Teach Safe Night-Driving Habits
Help your teen prepare for the challenges of driving after dark. Teach them to stay alert for sudden stops, pedestrian crossings, and unexpected traffic. Regularly checking their mirrors and reducing speed in dimly lit areas can also lower risks.
6. Carpool to Reduce Stress
Encourage carpooling for game nights to reduce the number of teen drivers on the road. Share driving duties with other parents to lighten the load and give teens a break from driving to and from games.
When Accidents Happen, Legal Help Is Available
Even with the best precautions, accidents can still occur. If your teen is involved in a car accident during football season, acting quickly to protect their rights is critical. Talking with an experienced personal injury attorney in Stillwater can help you understand your options, especially if the accident involves injuries or disputes over fault.
Accidents can leave families dealing with medical bills, repair costs, and insurance claims. This can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. A personal injury attorney can guide you through the process, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure your family gets the compensation it deserves.
Oklahoma Car Accident Lawyer
For families seeking expert advice or legal assistance, Martin, Jean, Jackson, Martin & Peach stands ready to help. If you’re in Stillwater, OK, and desire more information about ensuring teen safety or addressing personal injury concerns, contact our team at . Let us support you in navigating these matters, providing you with peace of mind, and helping protect what matters most.