Safe driving for teens

REDUCING ACCIDENTS

Parents should discuss "household driving rules" with their teens and help their new drivers stick to them. An excellent method to stimulate discussions and set expectations is actually to have parents and teens sign a written "driving contract". This document should specify the rules and consequences of breaking the rules. Be sure to state in the contract that parents have the final say. Consider all the issues above when writing the contract.

text continues below

Parents should encourage their teens to call without consequence rather than get in a car with a driver who has been drinking. However, should the parents discover that their child has been driving and drinking, the parents should ask the state to suspend that teenager's license until the teen is 18. (In many states the parent must sign for a teenager under 18 to obtain a driver's license. At any time before the 18th birthday a parent can refuse responsibility and the state will take the license.)

A MESSAGE TO TEENS

These suggestions are not intended to be a punishment, but to prevent accidents, life-long disability, and death. You are worth far more than the inconvenience and hassle. You can set an example for friends on how to drive responsibly. You might even save a life!

References:

Martinez R. Teen crash victims: who are these people and why are they here? Ann Emerg Med. 2005; 45(2): 155-156.

Gonzales MM. Student drivers: a study of fatal motor vehicle crashes involving 16-year-old drivers. Ann Emerg Med. 2005; 45(2): 140-146.