What Every Florida Parent Should Teach Their Teen For Summer Driving

What risks do inexperienced drivers face?

Teen drivers face a perfect storm of risk factors. For example:

• Inexperience behind the wheel means slower reaction times and difficulty handling sudden situations.
• Underdeveloped judgment is a biological reality. The part of the brain responsible for impulse control and decision-making (the prefrontal cortex) doesn’t fully mature until the mid-20s.
• Overconfidence is common. Teens may feel ready to drive but often lack the experience to safely assess danger or avoid a crash.
• Peer passengers add risk. One passenger can double the chance of a crash. Two or more can triple it.
• Distractions compound the danger. Phones, loud music, speeding, and nighttime driving all raise the odds of something going wrong.

What are the biggest distractions behind the wheel?

Texting is the most dangerous form of distracted driving. It takes your eyes, hands, and mind off the road. But it’s not the only risk. Other common distractions include:

• Interacting with backseat passengers.
• Eating or drinking.
• Playing with the radio or GPS.
• Watching something happening outside the car.
• Daydreaming.

Florida law bans texting while driving and prohibits the use of phones in school zones and construction zones. The safest thing is to put the phone away and keep both hands and eyes on the road.

How does speed and impairment make things worse?

Speeding is the number one violation among teen drivers. It’s also one of the deadliest. A crash at high speed is more likely to be fatal, and the faster you go, the less time you have to react.

Driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or even over-the-counter medication can be just as deadly. Teens may not realize that something like allergy medicine can slow their reaction time or cause drowsiness. And mixing substances only increases the danger. Impairment begins with the first drink or dose. It doesn’t take much to lose focus or control of the vehicle.

What are Florida’s special rules for teen drivers?

Florida has what's known as graduated driver licensing, or GDL laws. These rules are designed to help new drivers transition to full driving privileges safely.

• With a learner’s license, teens must drive with a licensed adult who is 21 or older and stick to daylight hours for the first three months. After that, they can drive until 10 p.m.
• At age 16, they can drive between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., unless traveling for work or accompanied by an adult.
• At age 17, the curfew shifts to 1 a.m.
• No moving violations for a full year after getting a learner’s permit. If a teen gets one, that clock resets.

Additionally, if a student skips school or doesn’t meet attendance requirements, their driving privileges can be suspended under Florida law. Teens also face strict rules about alcohol.

Anyone under 21 caught with a blood alcohol level of just 0.02 percent, which can be less than one drink, will lose their license for six months. Additionally, parents who signed a teen’s license application can revoke that license at any time by submitting a request to the state.

How can parents help their teens become safer drivers?

You don’t stop parenting when your kid gets behind the wheel. In fact, that’s when your guidance matters most.

• Set rules around where, when, and with whom your teen can drive.
• Model good driving behavior. Your kids are watching.
• Use driving logs or safety apps to track progress and reward safe habits.
• Ride along often, even after they get their license.
• Discuss strategies for handling emergencies and making tough choices.

Teens injured in car accidents have rights too

Keep in mind that not every teen on the road is at fault in the event of an accident. In fact, many are victims themselves—passengers in a friend’s car, pedestrians crossing the street, or young drivers hit by someone else’s reckless behavior. At Pajcic & Pajcic, we understand that families of injured teens need answers, support, and a legal team that treats their case with the seriousness it deserves.

We’ve stood up for teens who were hit by distracted drivers, drunk drivers, and commercial vehicles. Whether your child was driving to a summer job or simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, we’ll work to uncover what really happened and pursue full compensation for their injuries.

Teenagers face a lifetime of consequences from serious crashes—lost mobility, long-term care, and emotional trauma. These cases require careful handling and compassionate communication with both parents and injured teens. We’re ready to fight for your family’s future.