3 Effective Ways to Help Your Teen Driver Stay Safe on the Road

 Posted on October 10, 2026 in Car Accident

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of death for American teens. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drivers ages 16 to 19 have a fatal crash rate almost three times as high as drivers 20 and older, per mile driven. Much of that risk comes from inexperience.

Parents can’t drive for their teens, but they can have a great deal of influence on how their children drive. Modeling good habits and setting firm rules can help younger drivers be safer on the road from the start.

If your teen has already been injured in an accident in 2026, though, a Palatine, IL car accident lawyer can explain your family’s options.

Why Are Teen Drivers More Likely to Be in a Car Accident?

New drivers are still learning the rules of the road as well as how to judge factors like speed and other drivers’ behavior. Certain situations can also increase the risk of accidents, such as distracted driving. Additional passengers, especially other teenagers, can be very distracting. Teenagers are also prone to phone use while driving, whether it be for texting, music, or using navigation apps.

What Are 3 Effective Ways to Help Your Teen Driver Stay Safe?

Just knowing the rules of driving is not always enough to keep a teenager and their passengers safe. The following behaviors can help reduce the risk of your child suffering a vehicle-related injury.

Set an Example Every Time You Drive

Young people learn a lot about driving from watching their parents, even passively. If you speed, weave in and out of traffic, tailgate, or glance at your phone at red lights, your child may see those habits as normal.

Put your phone away, wear your seat belt, and follow the speed limit, especially with your teen in the car. Explaining your decisions as you drive, such as why you’re slowing down before an intersection or leaving extra space behind a vehicle, can help them internalize safe driving habits.

Don’t Call or Text Your Teen While They’re Driving

Many parents want to check in, but calling or texting when your teenager is driving is a surefire way to add distraction to their trip.

Instead, agree on a plan before they leave. Ask them to text when they arrive, not while they’re on the way. Make sure they know what to do if their plans change, their car breaks down, or they feel unsafe. Many phones also have a driving mode that silences notifications automatically. This is a good feature for young drivers to utilize.

Set Clear Rules and Consequences

Make it clear that driving is a privilege, and follow that up with clearly defined rules that you and they can stick by. Your rules might cover passengers, curfews, phone use, and which roads your teen can drive on. Agree on consequences, like losing access to the car for a time after a speeding ticket.

Be sure to follow through on whatever expectations you set. As your teen shows good judgment, you can gradually reduce the rules.

What Driving Restrictions Does Illinois Put on Teenage Drivers?

Illinois uses a graduated licensing program to give new drivers experience before they get full privileges. Once your teen is licensed, there are several restrictions specific to drivers under 18:

• For the first 12 months, or until age 18, whichever comes first, no more than one passenger under 20 is allowed in the car unless the others are siblings, stepsiblings, or the driver’s own children or stepchildren.
• No more than one passenger in the front seat, and no more passengers in the back than there are seat belts.
• No driving between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, or between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, with some exceptions (625 ILCS 5/6-110).
• No use of a cell phone while driving, including hands-free modes, for permit holders and licensed drivers under 19, except in an emergency (625 ILCS 5/12-610.1).

Some of these limits can last longer if your teen is convicted of a moving violation.

What Should You Do if Your Teen Is Hurt in a Car Accident in Illinois?

Unfortunately, even careful teen drivers can be in accidents. If your child is hurt, get them medical care as soon as possible, even if they say they feel fine. If you can, collect the other driver’s insurance information, photos of the scene, and names of any witnesses.

If you decide to sue, a parent, guardian, or other authorized representative can bring the claim on your child's behalf while they are a minor. Under 735 ILCS 5/13-211, a person injured before turning 18 may file a suit up to two years after their 18th birthday.

A lawyer can help you decide whether filing a suit is advisable based on the extent of your child’s damages and the settlement offers from the other driver’s insurance. Settlements involving a minor in Illinois may also require court approval. Talk with a lawyer before you or your teen agree to anything.

Call a Schaumburg, IL Car Accident Lawyer Today

Some basic habits can greatly reduce the chance that your teenager is hurt in a vehicle, but accidents can still happen. We can handle the claim so your family can focus on your teen’s recovery.

Our Palatine, IL personal injury attorneys are local attorneys who value the communities and clients we serve. Our team has many decades of combined experience and has recovered millions of dollars in successful verdicts for injured clients.

We offer free consultations. Call Newland & Newland, LLP at 847-797-8000 today.