Top experts in teen driver safety discuss the different and new ways parents can prevent accidents and educate their children.
What are some common misconceptions about safe driving?
When it comes to alcoholic beverages, there’s a common misconception about just how little is needed to impair your driving ability. The inability to track moving objects and the loss of some judgment can start to happen at just 0.02 Blood Alcohol Concentration, far below the 0.08 legal limit for driving. This means that just one drink compromises your ability to drive safely. Buzzed driving is drunk driving.
What is a simple preventative measure that a parent can take to prevent teen car crashes?
Teaching teens to drive responsibly is the first step, but research shows education alone does not prevent risky behavior. For young adults, one precaution that can help them stay safe is installing an ignition interlock device or an “in-car breathalyzer”. An ignition interlock device can prevent the risk of a teen driver hurting themselves or others due to drunk driving. While it’s best to discourage teens from consuming alcohol, for parents, this device provides peace-of-mind.
What is your top piece of advice that a parent can impart on their teen driver?
First, educate your teen on the penalties for underage drinking, especially when combined with driving. If your teen driver is of age to legally consume alcohol, stress the importance of having a plan on how to get home safely. If not using an in-car breathalyzer, make sure your young driver has a designated sober driver, uses a ride sharing service such as Uber or Lyft, or has a code word they can text to a parent or other adult if they need a ride home.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received on road safety?
Don’t risk it. Be smart and follow your instincts. Don’t get in the car with someone who has been drinking and don’t underestimate the impact one drink has on your driving. Especially for those under the age of 21, most states enforce zero tolerance DUI laws. This means that you could be charged with a DUI if you have a BAC above 0.00, far below the 0.08 legal limits. Better play it safe and not drive, than getting pulled over for a DUI or worse.
How do Intoxalock ignition interlock devices help make roads safer?
The ignition interlock devices we build and install helped prevent 2.3 million drunk driving attempts in the past 11 years. Our in-car breathalyzer guarantees that anyone with our device installed and a BAC higher than 0.02 can’t start their vehicle. This encourages would-be drunk drivers to find safer methods of transportation, and keeps them off the road until they are sober. By preventing a car from even starting, we are preventing accidents from happening and ultimately saving lives.
Alex Haro
Life360, Co-founder and CTO
What are common misconceptions on safe driving?
That it takes extra effort or that only some people can be safe drivers. Being a safe driver is just about ensuring that you are aware and engaged in your driving. Distractions of all kinds can be dangerous. So stay engaged. Use common sense and be fully present when driving.
What is a simple preventative measure that a parent can take to prevent teen car crashes?
Use an app or tool that helps you understand how you are driving. When we are aware of our habits, we are more likely to change them. Many times we aren’t even aware that we are being unsafe drivers. Using tools like Life360 can help you look back at your driving events, really see how many times you picked up your phone and at what points you were speeding. Seeing your activity, can help you understand how you drive and help you practice safe driving skills.
What is your top piece of advice that a parent can impart on their teen driver?
Use common sense and avoid getting into situations that heighten the chances of a serious accident. For example: getting into the car with big groups of teens, not wearing your seat belt, drinking and driving and using your phone while driving.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received on road safety? Be prepared. Have the right tools, whether its an app or an emergency kit, be prepared for emergencies. It’s easy to download an app, like Life360 and throw an emergency kit in your truck.