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Teen Driving Month: Top Tips for Parents of Newly Licensed Drivers in South Florida

It’s a major life milestone for teens and a source of both pride and panic for parents: the first driver’s license. Many parents envision an end to chauffeuring their teen around and help with errands. However, not far behind that thought is the sheer terror of their teen becoming involved in an accident. As one of Boca Raton’s leading personal injury law firms, we have seen first-hand the devastation that a severe car accident can have on the life of a victim and their loved ones. Following are our top tips to help keep your newly licensed driver safe on the road:

Practice What You Preach

You are your teen’s most influential role model. If you practice safe driving habits, they are more likely to understand the importance of respecting the rules of the road. In contrast, if they see you engage in risky driving habits, you are teaching them that safe driving techniques are optional.

Set Clear Expectations

Sit down with your teen and discuss your expectations about their driving. Some topics to consider are:

• Are they allowed to have friends in the car while driving? If so, how many?
• Are they allowed to listen to music while driving?
• How late are they allowed to drive?
• How far are they allowed to drive?

Educate Them on the Importance of Driving Cell Phone-Free

Texting while driving is against the law, but that doesn’t stop some drivers, especially teen ones, from engaging in this suicidal behavior. Make sure your teen knows that they should never text while driving, not even while at a stop sign or red light. They may roll their eyes and tell you “I already know that,” but it’s worth reinforcing this message. Also consider requiring them to avoid talking on the phone, even hands-free, their first few months of driving. While hands-free calling is legal, it is still a distraction that takes your teen’s attention away from the road.

No Drowsy Driving

If you know your teen was up late the night before, consider restricting their driving to minimize the chance of them causing an accident by falling asleep at the wheel or making errors in judgement due to their drowsiness.

Call for a Ride If They Need One

In the United States, someone is killed from drunk driving every 42 minutes[1]. If your teen is supposed to drive and has been drinking, let them know they should leave the car where it is and call you or a rideshare vehicle for a ride home instead.

Driving is one of the first steps a teen takes toward independence. Learning and embracing safe driving techniques can help set them up on the road to success for adulthood. We wish your teen many years of safe driving ahead.

ECanter Lawyers

When you are dealing with the chaos and pain of accidents and personal injuries, the last thing you need is technical, confusing legal language.  ECanter Lawyers breaks down the complexities and provides clear, informative answers so that you understand your legal options. 

For a quarter of a century, ECanter Lawyers has remained committed to honest, straightforward answers.  Named one of AVVO’s Clients’ Choice, ECanter Lawyers has helped clients receive multi-million-dollar verdicts, and millions of dollars in settlements.  ECanter Lawyers specializes in personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, premises and product liability, and healthcare law.

With offices conveniently located throughout South Florida and 24/7 services, ECanter Lawyers personal injury law firm offers you the personalized attention that you need in order to maximize your compensation. 

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[1] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Drunk Driving | Statistics and Resources | NHTSA. Accessed August 30, 2025.