Parents are the Most Important Role Models for Teen Drivers

It’s one of the more terrifying thoughts for many parents – their teenager getting behind the wheel of a car. Will they pay attention? Will they text and drive? Will they speed? Will they obey the traffic rules? All of these questions race through our minds. The real question is – do you?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in a July 2008 report to Congress car crashes are the leading cause of death for 15 to 20-year-olds, with 16 year olds being at the highest risk. The chance of a teen driver dying in a car crash is more than double those of a 35+ year-old driver, according to the report.
This is mostly due to inexperience behind the wheel and not knowing the hazards to anticipate. You, on the other hand, probably have much more experience with both of these factors. But do you speed/tailgate/run red lights/text and drive?
Leading by example is key in helping your child understand the real responsibility of driving, according to www.TeensDriveSmart.com a website sponsored by Bridgestone. They also suggest several other ways to help your teen be safer behind the wheel including:
Create a driving contract for your teen, and be prepared to stick to it. A driving contract is a great way to let teens know that driving is both a privilege and a serious responsibility. It also establishes clear expectations about driving for your teen: always wear a seat belt, never get into a vehicle with someone who’s been drinking, etc. A customizable contract template is available at: www.TeensDriveSmart.com
Set a clear expectation: no texting or tweeting behind the wheel. This is something you’ll want to include in your driving contract. Research increasingly shows in-car distractions are a leading cause of serious car crashes involving teens. They live in a digital world and texting is a way of life. Your mandate needs to be clear: not while you’re driving! No exceptions. They need to know you’re serious.
Choose an ICE contact. All drivers should designate an emergency contact in the address book of their cell phones under the name “ICE” — In Case of Emergency. Emergency workers in many towns check for an ICE contact in cell phones.
Encourage your teen to speak out. Teens tend to bridle when messages from you only travel down one-way streets (we have all seen eye-rolls complete with “I know, I know!”), so encourage your teen to speak out and take ownership of being a safe driver. He or she can do this by creating a compelling safety related video for the Safety Scholars contest. Top videos win a $5,000 college scholarship and become public service announcements. For more information and to see the past winners go to www.SafetyScholars.com
So remember to set a good example for your newly-minted teen driver and try these tips for a safer Summer and beyond.