Take an active role in helping your teen learn how to drive. Plan a series of practice sessions in different situations and also at night. Give beginners time to work up to challenges like driving in heavy traffic or on the interstate. Supervised practice should be spread over at least 180 days and continue even after the teenager graduates from a learner’s permit to a restricted or full license. You will have to sign a document at the DMV that you have given your son/daughter at least fifty hours of driving with at least fifteen hours of those at night. Remember that you are the role model. New drivers learn a lot by example, so practice safe driving all the time. Teens with previous car crashes and violations often have parents with poor driving records.
Just because your teen wears his/her seat belt while driving with you does not mean they are wearing it when they drive alone or when they are out with friends. Remember that safety belt use is lower among teenagers than older people. Insist that your teen wear a safety belt at all times! Teens must understand that as a driver they are responsible for all the passengers in the vehicle and must insist that everyone in the car wear a seat belt at all times.
Make it clear that it is illegal and highly dangerous for a teenager to drink alcohol. Remind them that never to get in a vehicle if the driver has been drinking or is under the influence of any drugs.
Teenagers should drive vehicles that reduce their chances of a crash and offer protection in case they do crash. For example, small cars do not offer the best protection in a crash. Avoid cars with performance images that might encourage speeding. Avoid trucks and sport utility vehicles as the smaller models are prone to roll over and larger vehicles are difficult to maneuver for inexperienced drivers.
Drowsiness impairs judgment, vision, hand-eye coordination, and reaction times just like alcohol and other drugs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Organization for Youth Safety report that teens are chronically tired. This creates a potentially dangerous situation.
Have your student driver sign a contract that outlines all of your rules that they must follow to avoid losing driving privileges. We have copies that you can use if you need one.
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