Familiarize yourself with your state's graduated driver licensing (GDL) law, and enforce its guidelines for your teen.In fact, research shows that the risk of a fatal crash goes up in direct relation to the number of teenagers in the car. According to the same study analyzed by NHTSA, the likelihood of teen drivers engaging in one or more risky behaviors when traveling with multiple passengers increased to three times compared to when driving alone. In a study analyzed by NHTSA, teen drivers were two-and-a-half times more likely to engage in one or more potentially risky behaviors when driving with one teenage peer, compared to when driving alone. Novice teen drivers most often learn from watching their parents.Įyes on the road, hands on the wheel.

Be consistent between the message you tell your teen and your own driving behaviors.

Set the example by keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel while driving.

Parents could also consider limiting a teen’s access to their cell phone-a punishment that in today’s world could be seen by teens as a serious consequence. If your teen breaks a distraction rule you've set, consider suspending your teen’s driving privileges, further limiting the hours during which they can drive, or limiting the places where they can drive.

Set consequences for distracted driving.

Talk about the consequences of distracted driving and make yourself and your teen aware of your state's penalties for talking or texting on a phone while driving. Restricting the number of passengers your teen can have, or the hours your teen can drive, is a very effective way to minimize distraction for your teen driver. Check to see what your state's laws are on distracted driving many states have novice driver provisions in their distracted driving laws.

Familiarize yourself with your state's graduated driver licensing law, and enforce its guidelines for your teen.

Texts and phone calls can wait until arriving at his or her destination. Remind your teen often that driving is a skill that requires the driver's full attention. Share some stories and statistics related to teen drivers and distracted driving.

Talk to your teen about the rules and responsibilities involved in driving.

Be a good example and get involved in their driving habits from the beginning, and stay involved for the duration of their teen years. You have more influence on your teen than you may think. Remember that driver's education should be used as just part of a GDL system.

Don't rely solely on a driver's education class to teach your teen to drive.

It can be a great way to spend time together and to allow your teen to improve some basic driving skills. Set aside time to take your teen on practice driving sessions.

Remember that your child looks to you as a driver, so practice safe driving yourself. 08, which is the legal limit for drivers over age 21. If a teen is under 21, his or her blood alcohol concentration (BAC) should always be at. Remind them that it is illegal to drink under the age of 21, and it is illegal-and deadly-to drink and drive. Talk to your teen about the dangers of drug and alcohol use.Restrict night driving and passengers, prohibit driving while using the phone or other electronic devices, and require seat belt use at all times. You have the opportunity to establish some important ground rules for your teen driver. Familiarizing yourself with the restrictions placed on your teen's license can better assist you in enforcing those laws. Note that the laws and restrictions can vary from state to state. This approach can reduce your teen's crash risk by as much as 50%.

To help your teen stay safe behind the wheel, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have a three-stage graduated driver licensing (GDL) system that limits high-risk driving situations for new drivers. They speed, they make mistakes, and they get distracted easily – especially if their friends are in the car. Teen drivers have a higher rate of fatal crashes, mainly because of their immaturity, lack of skills, and lack of experience. One thing is certain: teens aren't ready to have the same level of driving responsibility as adults. Your teen sees a driver's license as a step toward freedom, but you might not be sure your teen is ready for the road.

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