Tips for Parents of Teenage Drivers

Regardless of what vehicle your teenager drives, remember that how they drive probably is most important, and dedicated parental involvement and constant monitoring is imperative. Most parents routinely remind their teens to "drive safely" when leaving home. But words are not enough. It's important to verify that it's happening.

  • Require safety belt use: Safety belt use is the law in every state except New Hampshire, but nearly three-fourths (72%) of drivers involved in fatal rollovers were not using their safety belts, and it is estimated that two thirds of those non-users would be alive today if they had been buckled up. Belt use is lower among teenagers than adults, so don't assume that the belt use when you're in the car with your teenager will carry over to when they're driving alone, or with peers.

    Lap and shoulder belts are the most important safety equipment in a vehicle. Their use must be mandatory for your teen driver and any passengers, regardless of state law. Monitor to see that it's happening and take away driving privileges if it is not.

  • Vehicles handle differently: SUVs handle differently than cars, a fact acknowledged in owners' manuals, and warnings to this effect on the sun visor of all SUVs. But many teens learn to drive in cars and are often not prepared to handler higher, heavier SUVs. Or they get little experience because they are occasional drivers of these vehicles. They need to know to drive more slowly in an SUV and to avoid any radical maneuvers. Just as pilots are required to log "time in type" for the aircraft they'll be flying, make sure your teenager practices driving the actual vehicle that will be used most of the time.

  • Obey the law: Most states restrict teen driving initially. Make sure your teenager obeys driver's license restrictions regarding hours allowed for driving, where they may drive, and the number of passengers (if any) that can be with them.

  • Set your own rules: You may find that state laws on teen driving are not adequate for your teen. Apart from any state laws regarding teen drivers, parents should set expectations and rules to ensure that their son or daughter learns to drive safely. A parent's involvement will have a lot to do with just how safe that "right of passage" will be.

  • Restrict distractions: Studies have shown that new drivers, particularly teens, are easily distracted from the driving task-a risk they can't afford to take. Don't condone the "kids will be kids" attitude toward teen driving. The use of cell phones, food, and loud music should be strongly discouraged.

  • Restrict night driving: Most nighttime fatal crashes involving young drivers occur between 9 p.m. and midnight. Many states have laws restricting new teen drivers from driving at night. Even if your state does not, this is a very sensible parental restriction.

  • Restrict passengers: Many states have laws restricting the number of passengers allowed to ride with a new teen driver. Passengers, especially other teenagers, can distract and/or lead to greater risk taking by a teen driver. Almost two-thirds of teen passenger deaths (62 percent) occur in crashes during the day, so the best policy is to restrict teen passengers all of the time.

  • Supervise practice driving: Take an active role in teaching your teenager how to drive. In addition to driver's education classes, plan a series of practice sessions with your teenager in a variety of situations. Require demonstrated skill before allowing your teen to drive unsupervised.

  • Prohibit driving after drinking: Despite laws in all states prohibiting alcohol use by teens, alcohol is involved in many crashes involving teenagers. If you want to do the best you can to ensure that your son or daughter does not become a statistic, make it a hard and fast rule that no alcohol is to be consumed and no passengers who have been drinking permitted in the car-period. Again, trust but verify, and make the consequences dire.

  • Choose vehicles for safety, not image: Teenagers should drive vehicles that provide good overall protection in all kinds of crashes. Small cars may be "cute" and save on gas, but they don't offer as much protection as larger ones. Also, avoid cars with performance images that might encourage speeding.

  • Remember you are a role model: New drivers learn by example, and from how much their parents are involved in the learning process. Practice the safe driving practices that you preach.

Learn more about Teen Driving: