5 Safe Driving Tips for Teens

5 Ways Parents Can Reduce The Risk Of Teen Car Accidents

Any parent who has a teen who is about to transition into independence by learning how to drive will appreciate any help they can get to assuage their fear and trepidation of their teen driving their local streets and roadways.

A parent spends 16 to 18 years raising their child, and has a right to worry. After all, according to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, (NHTSA) 16-year-old drivers face the greatest risk for accidents and fatalities of any age on the road.

Speeding, alcohol use, multiple passengers and driving between 12 midnight and 3 AM represent the deadliest combination of factors and is the prime recipe for car crashes.

Parents who want to reduce the risk of their child's involvement in a car crash should do the following:

1. Check your brakes and brake fluid. Teenagers speed the most. While teens are interested in how fast the car can go, parents should be interested in how well the car can stop. Make sure your vehicle is in its best mechanical shape if your teen is taking to the wheel.

2. Limit the number of passengers your teen is allowed to transport. The risk of a car crash goes up exponentially for each passenger added.

3. Be a good role model and do not drink and drive what so ever. Teens are very sensitive to hypocrisy and determine their behavior by what they observe in their parent, not by what the parent says. Tell you teen not to drink and drive and lead by example.

4. Insist that your teen and all passengers wear their seat belts and again, lead by example. Parents must wear their seat belts, too and never drive out off while seat belts are not fastened.

5. Do not allow your teen to drive after midnight. If transportation is required after midnight, make alternate arrangements. Act as chauffeur, car pool with another parent or arrange for a taxi. It is better that the parent loose one night's sleep than the life of their child.

Remember, end-of year special high school events come only one night a year. But, to be really safe, parents must concern themselves with teen driver safety 365 days a year. Although special high school events usually occur in the spring, most fatal car crashes actually occur in the summertime. Safe driving doesn't take a holiday.

To ensure safe driving year round, parents are recommended to participate in safe driving programs such as the “I Promise Program.” This program has parents and teens enter into a mutual safe driving contract and then provide a means for their mutual accountability. The program has been developed with the input of thousands of persons from organizations worldwide.

Parents who want to prepare best for end-of-year school events, and the other 365 nights of the year can go to the “I Promise” Web site and print out a registration form.