RSS
Home
Teen Drivers Need Guidance
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
For teenagers, cars and summer mean freedom and fun. To parents, it is often a time of high anxiety. School’s out, curfews are extended, teens are partying at home and at the beach, and inevitably, accidents happen and people get hurt.
Teen driving is a topic we will return to frequently because it’s a topic that all parents will eventually face, whether their child is a passenger in a car with other teens, a permit-holder, or a driver.
For now, let’s focus on teens who are already driving.
As a parent, your teen’s safety is the primary concern. As summer fun continues, it is wise to review your rules with your teen and be certain that both of you understand the consequences if the rules are broken. AAA supplies a great Parent-Teen driving agreement to help parents and teens navigate the process of learning how to drive safely. Be sure to check it out.
• Parents and teen should have an agreement as to when the teen is permitted to use the car. Beginning drivers should be limited to using the car for work, school and errands rather than recreation.
• Law in Los Angeles regulates teens driving with passengers in the car. You should review the law with your teen and establish rules for older teens as to how many passengers they may have in the car. Friends, as passengers, are a big distraction and a significant liability.
• Younger teens need to know from whom they may accept a ride.
• Teens need to be reminded about driving in adverse conditions and at night. This is especially important for new, inexperienced drivers.
• Clear consequences should be established for a teen caught driving under the influence. Parents must be prepared to follow through.
• You should encourage your teen to call home for a ride rather than get in a car with a driver who has been drinking. There should be no consequence.
• All new drivers should take a driver's education course.
• Teens should be involved in the upkeep of the car. This includes not leaving the gas tank empty, cleanliness and maintenance.
• Law prohibits cell phone use and texting. Other distractions, such as too loud music or eating while driving are topics you should address with your teen. Put the rules in your driving agreement.
• Driving is a privilege. For teens under the age of 18, a parent can suspend the privilege by contacting the DMV.
I welcome questions and comments on this or any other parenting teens topic.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
