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On
Becoming Teenwise
Parenting 911
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KEEP
YOUR TEEN DRIVER SAFE
by Katrina Hayday Wester
In a recent survey conducted by the Chrysler Group, a division of
DaimlerChrysler AG, the automaker stated that six out of ten parents
(59%) say the number one health and safety risk facing their teenager
is driving safety, and seven out of ten parents (68%) believed that
car crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers. Do you agree
with these numbers?
What can parents do to prevent their child from being a statistic?
Here are some suggestions.
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Limit the number of unsupervised driving hours.
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Prohibit night-time driving unless it’s a necessity.
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Limit
the number of passengers.
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Insist
on the use of seat belts.
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Enroll
them in driver’s education courses.
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Set
a good example with your own driving – i.e. don’t use
your cell phone while you’re driving, don’t apply makeup,
drink coffee, etc.
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If the minimum age in your state is low, consider raising it for
your children.
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Ask
questions and understand what your child is doing while in the car.
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Prohibit additional items such as kickers or additional stereo speakers.
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Track
their usage carefully.
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Discuss
the dangers of speeding, drag racing, etc.
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Respect
and enforce a no-questions asked rule if your child calls to be
picked up rather than drive themselves home.
If one of
these steps helps save your child’s life, wasn’t it worth
it?
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