Teenagers perceive a driver’s license as a ticket to freedom.
It’s momentous for parents, too. Though they often are
aware of 16 year-olds’ high crash risks, they’re relieved
not to have to chauffeur their children around anymore. But
the price is steep. Crashes are the leading cause of death
among American teens, accounting for more than onethird
of all deaths of 16 to 18 year-olds.
An effective way to reduce this toll is to enact graduated
licensing, under which driving privileges are phased in to
restrict beginners’ initial experience behind the wheel to
lower risk situations. The restrictions gradually are lifted,
so teenagers are more experienced and mature when they
get their full, unrestricted licenses.
Graduated systems that are well designed restrict night
driving, limit teen passengers, set zero alcohol tolerance,
and require a specified amount of supervised practice
during the initial phase. Graduated licensing laws have
reduced teens’ crash rates in the United States, Canada,
and New Zealand. But not all states have such laws, and
the laws aren’t all strong.
With or without a graduated licensing law, parents can
establish rules based on the graduated model. In particular:
Don’t rely solely on driver education. High school driver
ed may be the most convenient way to learn skills, but it
doesn’t produce safer drivers. Poor skills aren’t always to
blame. Teens’ attitudes and decision-making matter more.
Young people naturally tend to rebel. Teenagers don’t use
safety belts as much, and they deliberately seek thrills like
speeding. Training and education don’t change these
tendencies. Peers are influential, but parents have much
more influence than typically is credited to them.
Know the law. Become familiar with restrictions on young
drivers. Enforce the rules. To learn about the law in your
state, go to www.iihs.org/laws/state_laws/grad_license.html.
Restrict night driving. Most young drivers’ nighttime
fatal crashes occur from 9 p.m. to midnight, so teens
shouldn’t drive much later than 9. The problem isn’t just
that such driving requires more skill. Late outings tend to
be recreational, and even teens who usually follow the rules
can be easily distracted or encouraged to take risks.
Restrict passengers. Teen passengers in a vehicle can
distract a beginning driver and/or lead to greater risktaking.
Because young drivers often transport their friends,
there’s a teen passenger problem as well as a teen driver
problem. About 6 of every 10 teenage passenger deaths
(59 percent) during 2003 occurred in crashes with a teen
driver. While night driving with passengers is particularly
lethal, many fatal crashes with teen passengers occur
during the day. The best policy is to restrict teenage
passengers, especially multiple teens, all the time.
Supervise practice driving. Take an active role in helping
your teenager learn how to drive. Plan a series of
practice sessions in a wide variety of situations, including
night driving. Give beginners time to work up to
challenges like driving in heavy traffic or on the freeway.
Supervised practice should be spread over at least six
months and continue even after a teenager graduates
from a learner’s permit to a restricted or full license.
Remember that you’re a role model. New drivers learn
a lot by example, so practice safe driving.Teens with crashes
and violations often have parents with poor driving records.
Require safety belt use. Don’t assume that belt use when
you’re in the car with your 16 year-old means belts will be
used all the time, especially when your child is out with
peers. Remember that belt use is lower among teenagers
than older people. Insist on belts all the time.
Prohibit driving after drinking. Make it clear that it’s
illegal and highly dangerous for a teenager to drive after
drinking alcohol or using any other drug. While alcohol
isn’t a factor in most fatal crashes of 16-year-old drivers,
even small amounts of alcohol are impairing for teens.
Choose vehicles for safety, not image. Teenagers should
drive vehicles that reduce their chances of a crash and offer
protection in case they do crash. For example, small cars
don’t offer the best protection in a crash. Avoid cars with
performance images that might encourage speeding. Avoid
trucks and sport utility vehicles — the smaller ones,
especially, are more prone to roll over.
It’s Your Class - Take It At Your Own Pace.
We offer the flexibility you need to fit us into your busy schedule. Our in-home and online courses make it possible for you and your teen to tackle as much or as little as you want at any time of the day or night.
Unlimited tutor team support is just a toll-free phone call away, and every section of the coursework can be retaken as many times as you please with no negative consequences whatsoever. Best of all, the new driver doesn’t train on a strange vehicle; they train on the car they will eventually be driving.
