My 17 year old daughter just took her driving road test last week. She has had a Learner’s Permit for over a year, but during the test she had trouble with the parallel parking. She hit the curb when she tried to park – twice. So needless to say she didn’t pass the test! That means more weeks of practice for her, and more time before she is driving on her own.
Having teenagers driving makes me very nervous! There is so much to learn about driving, and they need lots and lots of time behind the wheel. And when school is out in the summer it is actually the most dangerous time of the year, probably because there are so many more kids out driving and traveling.
Share some tips and resources with you on teenage drivers, and how you can keep them safe.
Set Rules
The more specific the rules are the better. Emphasizing the importance of seat belts, not texting or calling while driving, and of course not drinking and driving is key. Even the things you think are perfectly obvious should be discussed, because what is obvious to adults is not necessarily clear to teens. And of course you have to model this behavior too, because if your child sees you getting your phone out while in the car to send a quick text they aren’t going to listen to what you say!
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) recommends negotiating a written teen driving contract. They even have a customizable Teen Driving Contract to get you started. This makes a lot of sense, because my daughter is a lot more likely to agree to restrictions on things like the number of passengers and time of day she can be driving now, before she actually has her license than if I try to set limits once she been driving on her own.
Be Prepared
Even for the safest drivers accidents happen. And I know exactly what my daughter would do after an accident – panic! It is important to make sure that everyone knows what steps to take to stay safe and what information to exchange if an accident occurs.
Know the Cost
Adding a teen driver to your auto insurance policy can be extremely costly. This is the one big benefit for me of my daughter not passing the test – I don’t have to add her to our auto policy yet! But once she has her license it is going to be expensive, and even a minor parking lot fender-bender from her will make it even more expensive.
teens who have had a discussion with their parents are 70% less likely to drive intoxicated
so few will speak up – we need to teach them and everyone to speak up and keep the roads safer for all!
I found it surprising that teen drivers with passengers are 3.6% more likely to be involved in fatal car accidents. That’s scary and something I really never realized. I am definitely in no hurry for my boys to grow up and start driving lol
3.6 times more likely to be in a fatal crash. That’s very frightening. 🙁
I found it so alarming that a teen has 30 x more hours of training in soccer (sports) than driver training.
Teen drivers with passengers are 3.6% more likely to be involved in a fatal crash.
i wish i could win this kit
That 1 in 5 16 year olds will have an accident in their first year is alarming.
it is scary that teens with passengers are 3.6 times more likely to be in a crash
1 in 5 16 year old have had accidents
That’s scary, 1 in 5, 16 year olds have an accident their first year of driving. Thanks for this contest.
teen drivers with passengers are 3.6 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident.
Too few will speak up when others are drivin unsafely.
It will be helpful to be able to tell my sixteen year old that 1 in 5 16 year olds has an accident their first year.
Ouch —> 1 in 5 16 yr. olds have an accident during their first year behind the wheel.
Clearly texting and driving is a documented danger.
That 43% of teens still text KNOWING it’s dangerous!
43% of teens text and drive.
Whats alarming to me is that 43% of teens text and drive!
lastingpurple@hotmail.com
43% percent of teens admit to texting while driving