Keeping teen drivers safe on the road - WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

By Amanda Genge
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Getting a driver's license is a teenage rite of passage. New teen drivers are excited to have their newfound freedom, but parents are often terrified to let them loose on the road, and with good reason.

The statistics are sobering:

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the biggest health risk for kids in the U.S. isn't illness or disease - it's injuries related to motor vehicles.
• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers.
• Drivers ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely to crash than older drivers.
• Add just one passenger to the car, and a teen driver's already high risk of crashing goes up by 40 percent. With two friends, the risk is doubled, and with three or more friends in the car, the risk is four to five times greater than if the teenager was driving alone.

Teen drivers lack experience and may not control the car well, especially at high speeds. They often don't notice or respond adequately to potential problems when they drive. Teens also tend to take chances and overestimate their abilities, and they are vulnerable to peer pressure. Also, teenagers are more likely to have mood swings or become easily distracted.

All these factors can raise their risk of being in an accident.

Parents and teens working together for driving safety
So, what can parents do to help keep new drivers safe behind the wheel?

The best way to improve driving safety is for parents and teens to work together. The National Safety Council (NSC) suggests writing a parent/teen driving agreement. This agreement should set clear expectations for everyone. Together, you and your teen should define:

• Driving privileges, such as getting the family car for a Friday night football game or a Saturday trip to the mall
• Driving restrictions, such as obeying a curfew or driving with no more than one passenger in the car
• Things a teen must do to show parents he or she is ready for more driving privileges

Key issues to address in a parent/teen driving agreement
The following are important issues that should be addressed in your parent/teen driving agreement:

• Be sure you and your teenager know and follow your state's laws for teen driving.
• Your teenager should only drive a safe vehicle, based on factors like size and safety features. The NSC website offers tips for selecting a safe vehicle.
• The agreement needs to address the two conditions that make driving more dangerous for teenagers:
  • Driving with passengers
  • Driving at night
• The agreement should outline safe behaviors, such as:
  • Wearing a seatbelt
  • Not drinking and driving
  • Not talking or texting on a cell phone while driving
  • Not eating or drinking while driving
  • Not speeding
  • Not driving when tired or while taking medication

You can make an impact on your teen's driving safety. Sit down with your teenager and write up a contract you all can live with - especially behind the wheel.

SOURCES:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Research update: reducing motor vehicle crashes among young drivers. Accessed: 07/29/2010
• National Safety Council. What parents can do: teen driving. Accessed: 07/29/2010
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Teen drivers: fact sheet. Accessed: 07/29/2010
• American Academy of Pediatrics. AAP policy statement: the teen driver. Accessed: 07/29/2010  

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