Parent Tips for Safer Teen Drivers

The facts are alarming.  Traffic crashes are the leading cause of fatalities for teens accounting for 44% of deaths.  A teenager's risk of being in a car crash is at a lifetime high in their first 12 to 24 months of driving.  As a parent, you can help your teen become a more thoughtful and careful driver.  Read these tips to find out how to keep your teen safe on the road:

·    Create a parent-teen driving agreement.  By planning ahead for challenges you are likely to face and spelling them out in a contract, both parents and teens gain a clear understanding of commitment and consequences.

·    Keep your cool during practice sessions.  Provide feedback in a respectful tone.  Look for opportunities for positive reinforcement.

·    Introduce privileges gradually.  Allow independent driving only after much practice and for limited amounts of time in low-traffic situations.  Allow longer sessions on busier roads, night driving, driving in inclement weather, and with passengers only after a driver demonstrates safe operations for several months, and in accordance with GDL (Graduated Drivers License) restrictions in your state.

·    Consider supplemental drivers education.  Programs such as the AAA Foundation's award winning Driver-ZED interactive driving DVD prepares teens for identifying and responding to real-world risks from the safety of their computer.

·    Set a good example.  The best foundation for good driving is you!  Don't forget to come to a complete stop at a stop sign, stay within the speed limit, and be a courteous and respectful driver.  From the time they are old enough to face forward in the car, your children are watching and learning how to drive from you, so set a good example!

By working together and following these tips, your teen will become a safer and more confident driver.  To really make a difference in your teen's on-road safety, learn more about the Foundation's award-winning Driver-ZED DVD by clicking here.