Submitted for post by Mr. Breeden.
Teen Safety Behind the Wheel
Did you know?Most new drivers crash within the first 10 months of receiving their license. Source: nationalroadsafety.org
If the question "Can I have the keys to the car?" leaves you fearful, it's no wonder. Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for teens in the U.S., taking nearly 6,000 lives and injuring another 300,000 each year.
The primary causes of teenage car crashes include
driving too fast, running off the road, driving in the wrong lane, and driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication.
There are a number of things you can do to help prepare-and protect-the teen driver in your life.
Communication is key
Make sure they understand the risks and responsibilities of driving. Be sure to keep the dialogue open before, during and after the licensing process.
Set a good example
If your teen driver sees you driving poorly, they're likely to pick up your poor driving habits. So teach by example by:
*Obeying all traffic laws, especially the speed limit
*Using a headset or other hands-free device that will enable you to keep both hands on the wheel when talking on your cell phone
*Refraining from playing with the radio, CD players, MP3 players, electronic organizers or other devices
*Always wearing your seatbelt
Don't rush the process.
Not all teens are ready to drive when the law says they can. Also, just because a teen has his/her permit or license, it doesn't mean the teen is ready for every driving condition, such as rough weather, heavy traffic and night driving.
Formal instruction
Driving lessons are a great way to provide structured, hands-on training. Not only will driving lessons help prepare a teen for the open road, it may also lead to financial discounts on auto insurance premiums.
In addition, every state has its own variation of a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program, which introduces driving privileges in phases. GDLs may require:
*An extended learner period of supervised driving
*Required hours of adult supervision during the learner period
*Restrictions on late-night driving during initial months of licensure
*Restrictions on transporting teen passengers during initial months of licensure
Limit passengers
According to Mother's Against Drunk Driving (MADD), teen driving crash rates increase by 50% with just one teen passenger in the car, and by 400% with three or more teen passengers. So to help ensure a teen driver's safety, prohibit or limit non-adult passengers during the first few months of independent driving.
For more information, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at nhtsa.dot.gov.
