Sometimes keeping your teen safe when they are driving means taking matters into your own hands. Most states require by law that certain training be accomplished before a teenagers is granted the privilege to drive a car. Depending on where you live the rules behind who is and who is not allowed to have a driver’s license will vary. But if you are concerned about keeping your teen safe there is really more that you as a parent can be doing that goes above and beyond leaving the driver’s education of your child up to the state.
In fact, a study that was led by a University of Maryland professor reported that, “New teenage drivers whose parents put restrictions on them in their first six months behind the wheel are less likely to report that they engage in risky driving behavior, even after the restrictions have been lifted.� Engaging in less risky driving behavior is obviously directly connected with a decreased probability of being involved in an accident.
Now what kinds of restrictions might be effective for lessening the driving risks for your child? Some say that a teen needs to have more practice behind the wheel with a parent who is supervising before they are allowed to take the car by themselves. Other parents restrict the number and age of passengers that are allowed to ride in the car with a teen if the teen is not accompanied by the parent. Some examples of teen driving restrictions/laws that are currently being experimentally introduced include not allowing the teen to drive during peak accident hours, to drive during the night, to drive during harsh weather conditions or to drive with other teen passenger. Preliminary results from implementing these restrictions for teen drivers show that these new laws are working.
Some ideas that other states are experimenting with when it comes to keeping your teen safe when they are driving include having a parent-teen driving contract. Having a driving contract can help you as a parent to implement your own restrictions and keep your teens safe. But again, you do not have to leave it up to the state to determine the rules for your teen. If you need more suggestions for what you can do to enhance your teen’s driving abilities you may consider looking to local agencies and parenting groups for suggestions. Many times car insurance companies will also offer teen driving courses free of charge (some companies require an agreement that you will plan on signing up your teen for insurance through this company in order for the course to be free). There is also a great deal of published information regarding teen driving statistics, advice on how to avoid common mistakes and keep your teen drivers safe, etc.
There are no rules that dictate what you as a parent are and are not allowed to try when it comes to enhancing your teens’ driving experience so think about what you believe your teen’s specific weaknesses are when it comes to driving and work towards eliminating those weaknesses. Remember that as a parent you can decide when your child gets his license.
Keeping your teen safe when they are driving is all about doing what you can as a parent to teach your children the rules of the road and what is expected from them when they take their life and the lives of their passengers into their hands. Staying safe while driving is important because the risks are real and tens of thousands of teenagers die from automobile accidents every year and that fatality figure increases every year.
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