Obtaining a valid driver's license in Kentucky or elsewhere in the nation is considered a privilege, not a right. However, it's often looked upon as a certain right-of-passage for many young people who reach driving age and take the driving tests for the first time. If you're like most parents, you probably began worrying about your child's safety as soon as he or she passed a permit test.
It's no secret that Dixie Highway is one of the most dangerous roadways in Kentucky. Students who attend Pleasure Ridge Park, De Sales or other area high schools must be alert and cautious behind the wheel as they travel to school or social events at these and other locations in order to protect their own safety and that of other motorists and pedestrians nearby.
Reminding your child about these things may help prevent disaster
When your son or daughter first obtained a driver's license, you likely had many discussions about obligations and responsibilities that accompany the privilege. While there's a certain inherent safety risk involved each time your child gets behind the wheel, the following tips may help him or her avoid a collision:
- Be extra careful in school zones: It's often exciting to drive to school as a teen, but such locations are often the most dangerous for inexperienced drivers. Remembering not to park in fire lanes, to stop when lights on a school bus are flashing and to watch for children and other pedestrians is extremely important.
- Check vehicle before driving: Remind your child to make sure there's enough gasoline in the tank, that all lights and signals are functioning properly and that tires have adequate air pressure before taking to the road.
- Anticipate and react: There's little a young driver can do about another motorist's driving skills, but acting with caution and steering clear of any driver acting recklessly may increase the chances of avoiding an accident.
- Don't forget to buckle up: Wearing proper seat restraint and requiring passengers to do the same may save your son or daughter's life in a collision.
- Adhere to all traffic regulations: Make sure your child understands that he or she must obey posted speed limits and all existing traffic laws whether he or she is the only one on the road at the time or is in the midst of heavy traffic.
Hopefully, the teen drivers in your family will navigate Dixie Highway and all other roads safely each time they travel to new destinations. Sometimes, there's little or nothing your child can do to avoid a crash if another motorist in the vicinity is negligent. If your child is injured in an accident, the highest priority at the scene is getting appropriate medical assistance. Beyond that, many Kentucky parents choose to act on their children's behalves to pursue justice against those deemed responsible for their injuries.
As soon as possible after an accident, it often helps to speak with a personal injury attorney to obtain information regarding how to file a claim.
