Teenage Drivers
by Susan Crites PriceAre you terrified by the thought of your 16-year-old behind the wheel?
You're right to be nervous. According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 27. Teen drivers are at risk for collisions because of their inexperience and immaturity.
Newly-licensed drivers are especially vulnerable because they typically haven't had enough practice to master the complex, split-second decision-making that driving a car requires. Adding passengers to the mix increases the danger.
"The culture in a car changes completely when you get a gang of teenagers in it," says Julie Rochman, director of communications for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Teens think they are super-people and they take risks adults would not."
But careful teen drivers are made, not born.
What Parents Can Do
Requiring your child to take driver's education is a good first step (and cuts your car insurance costs). But a course will only teach your teen the rules of the road and how to pass the driver's license test. Students may spend 30 hours in the classroom, but as little as 6 hours actually driving.
That's why you have to give your child many more hours of supervised practice on the road in various kinds of weather and driving conditions. Some experts recommend that teens have at least 200 hours of driving time before they apply for their licenses.
Graduated Licensing Saves Lives
Approximately half the states now have three-part graduated licensing, and others are considering such laws this year. Provisions vary widely, but the typical steps are:
Regardless of your state's law, experts say that your teen should not be allowed to drive unsupervised with other teen passengers for the first six months after obtaining a full license.
Set a Good Example
You're the driving role model for your children. They need to see you consistently buckle up, obey traffic laws, never speed, refrain from chatting on the cell phone, be courteous to pedestrians and other drivers, and stay calm when traffic is particularly frustrating.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) advises parents and teens to write a driving agreement that both sign. This will motivate her to drive safely because she'll know what penalties will be imposed for infractions and what additional privileges she'll earn for maintaining a safe record.
Here are the kinds of requirements AAA and other experts suggest including in your agreement:
The agreement also should list penalties for infractions of the agreement.
The Safest Cars for Teens
How your child drives is probably as important as what he drives. Chances are high that a teenager driver will be in a collision, so put him in a vehicle that offers the best protection.
The insurance institute says teens shouldn't drive small cars because they lack the crash protection of larger cars. But you don't have to opt for the biggest car you can find. Many mid-size cars have good safety ratings. Look for newer cars with such safety features as airbags.
The institute also cautions parents not to let their teens drive unstable vehicles. Sport utility vehicles, especially smaller ones, have higher centers of gravity and are more likely to roll over if a teen over-corrects a driving error. High performance cars aren't good for teens either, because they encourage speeding.
Don't buy your child her own car as soon as she gets her license. If she has to use your car, you'll have more control over where and how much she drives. Consider a purchase only when she's experienced and has shown that she can handle driving privileges responsibly.
