Teen driving is a big concern for parents everywhere. But when one school saw a sharp increase in the number of fatal accidents involving teen drivers, parents came together to share their ideas about keeping teens safe on the road. The fact is that teenage drivers are four times as likely as older motorists to be involved in a car crash,¹ but parents can take steps to keep their children safe. The article below contains ideas from parents. It was first published in the “Bulldog Bulletin,” the newsletter of the Parent Teacher Student Association of Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, MD.

A child’s readiness to take on the responsibility of driving should be determined by the parent (after significant involvement in training), not by a birthday, nor a few hours of commercial instruction. Driving is a privilege, not a right.

One parent shared this general approach to driving privileges: “We link driving responsibilities with the other responsibilities of teen life—for school, family, and self. To earn the privilege of driving, he or she needs to demonstrate responsible behavior in other ways, starting months (or years) before the time for a learner’s permit. Working toward making responsible behavior a habit throughout daily life has been a useful guideline for us.”

Parents suggested the following specific policies:

1. The teen driver must log at least 1,000 miles or 60 hours of driving with parents before driving alone.
2. No riding with someone who has had his or her license for fewer than 6 months.
3. No teen passengers for the first 6 months. Many States have rules that limit the number of passengers a teen driver may transport “because studies have found that the risk of a fatal accident increases when teenagers drive with other teenagers in the car.”²
4. After the initial 6-month period, no more than one passenger for another 6 months.
5. Driving must be with specific permission: destination, time, route, and passengers must all be pre-approved. Call home if any plans change.
6. Limit night driving. (“The risk of a fatal crash is three times higher at night than in the day.”³)
7. All persons in the car must wear seatbelts at all times.
8. Be home at pre-agreed time. Call if running late. An 11:30 p.m. curfew avoids the midnight rush of kids trying to get home on time.
9. Call home upon arrival at destination. Then call again when starting for home. The teen driver’s cell phone must always be on.
10. Without exception, pull over to use the cell phone.
11. No driving on major highways for the first 6 months without specific permission.
12. If it is the teen driver’s car, the teen pays for car insurance. If not, the teen pays the increment or the parents pay unless the teen gets a ticket or causes an accident. Participating financially underlines the responsibility the teen is undertaking.
13. The teen driver pays for any tickets.
14. For the first 3 to 6 months, no radio and no food while driving.
15. Do not leave the gas tank empty. (Define policies about paying for gas.)
16. Do not allow others to drive the car, and do not drive someone else’s car without a parent’s permission.
17. Severe, long-term, non-negotiable consequences for any drinking or drug use and driving. Remember, parents have the right to request that a child’s license be revoked.
18. Compile a file of articles about teen driving accidents and their consequences that your teen must read.

Other ideas:

In each car, have a checklist of what to do and numbers to call in the event of an accident.

One parent said, “We tell our kids that we have a thousand friends out driving, in restaurants, etc. We have asked them to tell us if they see our kids behaving in any manner that is unsafe or illegal. Our children have taken this seriously. They know there are spies everywhere!” Indeed, you may save a life by alerting the parents of a teen driving recklessly.

It is up to parents to enforce safe driving. Regular monitoring and communication with the teen driver and other parents is important. Some parents find it helpful to have a contract clearly stating the policies and expectations regarding driving, including statements about locking the car, drinking, general attitude, and consequences for infringement of the rules or being at fault in an accident.

Sources

Additional Resources:

Videos for young drivers and their parents may be available from the media center of your school or local library. Videos, brochures, and information packets also are available from many insurance companies.

For more information on teen driving, check out these articles:

• Safe Riding, Safe Driving
• Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
• Driving Toward Disaster? Steer Your Teen Away From Marijuana

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Tips for Teens: The Truth About Alcohol, last referenced 4/25/2005. (A print version of this publication was released in 2003.)

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. New Driver Safety, last referenced 4/12/2005.