As a parent of teens, one of your biggest worries probably concerns their safety while driving. Teaching your child how to follow laws and rules in Rhode Island is a great way to avoid accidents, but there are still other drivers on the road who may not be as careful. In addition to teaching your teen how to handle him or herself, it is also a good idea to explain what to do in case of an accident. KidsHealth.org offers parents some great tips.

First, teens should know how to avoid unsafe behaviors following collisions. Tell them to remain seated if they think they may be injured or it might be unsafe to get out. If they are in the road and in danger of getting hit again, they should turn on their hazard lights. If they can safely exit they vehicle, they should place flares or cones around their care to alert oncoming vehicles. Taking deep breaths can help them stay calm and avoid making rash decisions. It is also important to call 911 immediately to make sure help is on the way.

Next, they will need to talk to the other driver and get any needed insurance or personal information. Make sure they know not to leave the scene until this has happened or an officer has arrived and gotten the information.

It is also important to tell your teen not to admit fault, even if they think they may be to blame. They may be unaware of mistakes the other person made, so it is important to refrain from assigning or admitting blame until you have spoken with an attorney. This information is meant to educate and should not be taken as legal advice.