Tips For Parents With Teenage Drivers

Learning to drive is one of the best parts of being young.  But it is also one of the most dangerous.  Car crashes are the leading cause of death for people between the ages 15 and 20.

Parents of teens who are learning to drive or who have just been licensed need to take special steps to protect them.  Here are some ways parents can reduce the chance of their teenage children being in a car accident:

• Don’t rely only on driver education.  High school driver education is a good way for teens to learn many driving skills.  But good safety attitudes and decision-making skills start at home.  Parents should impress on their children the proper attitudes.

• Restrict night driving by teens.    Night outings tend to be recreational, and teens can be easily distracted or encouraged to take risks.

• Limit the number of passengers.  Teenage passengers in a car can distract a driver or cause more risk-taking.  So limit the number of teen passengers, especially more than one.

• Choose vehicles for safety, not image.  Teenagers should drive cars that lower their chances of a crash and give better protection in case of one.  Avoid cars with images that encourage speeding. 

• Require seat belt use. Don’t assume that a child who uses a seat belt when you drive will always use it.  Seat belt use is lowest among teenagers.  Insist on belts all the time.