The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that if teen drivers invite even a single peer as a passenger into their car, they raise their risk for an accident by 44%. Parents in Alabama should be aware that their newly licensed teens are inexperienced and so more easily distracted by conversations in the car.

One of the best things to ensure teen safety is to have them go without any young passengers for the first six months after they have obtained their license. If it can be extended to the first year, that would be better.

The limit should also extend to siblings. Though newly licensed drivers in Alabama are allowed to have family members as passengers, parents should not let siblings ride because they can, in fact, be more distracting to teens than their friends can be. Siblings are, after all, more familiar with the things that can make one another excited or angry.

In addition, parents should not let their teens ride with a friend until they have asked certain critical questions. For example, they should find out how long the friend has been licensed and how far they will be traveling. They should also take into account if their teen will be riding at night when visibility is reduced and other dangers are present.

Drivers, regardless of their age, are expected to keep themselves and others safe. Those who are to blame for motor vehicle crashes can be held liable. Before they file their personal injury claim, victims may want to hire a lawyer for assistance. The lawyer may bring in third-party investigators to gather proof of the defendant’s negligence before heading off to negotiations with the auto insurance company.

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