What parents of teenagers can do
When parents understand the risk factors involved in letting 16 year-olds get behind the wheel, they can act to improve
the situation for their own children.
Don't rely solely on driver education:
High school driver education may be the most convenient
way to learn driving skills, but it doesn't produce safer drivers. Poor skills aren't always to blame
for teens' crashes. Their attitudes and decision-making skills matter more. Young people naturally tend
to rebel, and peer pressure influences them more than advice from adults. They often think they're
immune to harm, which is why they don't use safety belts as much and why they deliberately seek thrills
like speeding. Training and education don't change these tendencies.
Restrict night driving:
Most nighttime fatal crashes among young drivers
occur between 9 p.m. and midnight, so teenagers shouldn't be driving much later than 9 p.m. The
problem isn't just that late-night driving requires more skill. Outings late at night tend to be recreational.
In these circumstances, even teens who usually follow all the rules can be easily distracted
or encouraged to take risks.
Restrict passengers:
Teen passengers in a vehicle can distract a beginning
driver and/or lead to greater risk-taking. Because young drivers often transport their friends, there's
a teen passenger problem as well as a teen driver problem. Almost two of every three teen passenger
deaths (62 percent) occur in crashes with a teen driver. While night driving with passengers is
particularly lethal, many fatal crashes with teen passengers occur during the day. The best policy
is to restrict teen passengers, especially multiple teens, all the time.
Supervise practice driving:
Take an active role in helping your teenager learn how to drive. Plan a series
of practice sessions in a wide variety of situations, including night driving. Give beginners time to
work up to challenges like driving in heavy traffic or on the freeway. Supervised practice should
be spread over at least six months and continue even after a teenager graduates from a learner's
permit to a restricted or full license.
Remember you are a role model:
New drivers learn a lot by example, so practice safe driving. Teens
with crashes and violations often have parents with poor driving records.
Require safety belt use:
Don't assume that belt use when you're in the car with your 16 year-old means
belts will be used all the time, especially when your child is out with peers. Remember that belt
use is lower among teenagers than older people. Insist on belts all the time.
Prohibit driving after drinking:
Make it clear that it's illegal and highly dangerous for a teenager to
drive after drinking alcohol or using any other drug. While alcohol isn't a factor in most crashes
of 16-year-old drivers, even small amounts of alcohol are impairing for teens.
Choose vehicles for safety, not image:
Teenagers should drive vehicles that reduce their chances of a
crash and offer protection in case they do crash. For example, small cars don't offer the best protection
in a crash. Avoid cars with performance images that might encourage speeding. Avoid trucks and
sport utility vehicles -- the smaller ones, especially, are more prone to roll over |
Phone: 513-887-2222
