BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – About 2,500 people died in crashes involving teen drivers between the ages of 15 and 18 in 2022, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Florida Highway Patrol says when they get behind the wheel they should focus on driving and limit distractions in the car.

We’ve been told that speed is a big factor in accidents, so it’s important to teach your new driver to monitor their speed. Distracting and generally being a new driver can cause accidents, defensive driving can help make them aware of their surroundings and other cars on the road. A study conducted by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says teen drivers were two and a half times more likely to engage in one or more potentially risky behaviors when driving with a teen compared to when driving alone. Research shows that the risk of a fatal accident increases in direct relation to the number of teenagers in the car.

“As a mother of a teenager, make sure you, as a parent, teach your children about vehicle safety issues and make sure they wear their seat belts every time they get into a vehicle” , said Emily Melton. , a Florida Highway Patrol trooper. “Teach them to look left, right and then look back left before exiting an intersection or making a turn.”

Another tip that cops say is to make sure the new driver doesn’t follow other cars too closely. They see a lot of rear end collisions, so having that following distance will reduce their chances of getting into an accident.

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