Rubenu - Parents of Teen Drivers

Community based health promotion in Israel.

Reducing The Risk

By Avi Maderer

As parents, one of the tensest moments in our day occurs when one of the kids takes the car, whether it is ours or theirs. We ourselves have been driving for anywhere between 20 and 50 years or more. As such we have quite a bit of experience behind the wheel. That of course does not mean that there is no room for improvement in our own driving, but I’ll leave that issue for other articles.

The new driver, whether they be 16 or 60 years of age, needs to gain experience in order to be able to handle the literally thousands of scenarios that can unfold while driving. Combine the new driver’s lack of experience with the teen’s not-yet-fully-developed maturity, and you have a very dangerous formula for G-D forbid injury or worse.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death of teenagers in the United States. Over 5,000 teenagers die each year in such crashes, and teen drivers are involved in a substantial number of crashes that result in deaths of other people.

Some Reasons for Teen Crashes

Lack of experience can make it difficult for teens to recognize and respond to hazards on the road

Risk-taking behavior and immaturity result in speeding, going too fast for road conditions, inattention, using alcohol or other drugs, and not using seat belts (nearly one in five high school students report they rarely or never use them)

Greater risk exposure such as teens driving at night with other teens in the vehicle

At the government level, many countries have instituted graduated licensing programs at the national or state level to address this problem. The system, whereby new drivers are gradually introduced into more complex driving situations, has proven to be quite successful.

What Can a Parent Do?

While local government and police may have laws in place, there is still room for a parental contribution to reduce the risks our children are

exposed to each time they get behind the wheel or travel with a young driver. The suggestions listed here may include measures already used by local legislation. I present them as if addressed strictly to you as a parent, as if there were no laws in place where your children may be traveling, so please pardon any overlap with local laws.

Ways Parents Can Help

Don't rely on driver education classes alone to teach your teen to be a safe driver, take an active role and plan practice sessions that include night and bad weather driving; work up to challenges such as highway and heavy traffic driving.

Restrict night driving as it requires more skill-sets. Enforce curfews of 9 p.m. or 10 p.m.

Teen drivers are more likely to be influenced by peers and other stresses and distractions. This can lead to reckless driving behaviors such as speeding, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and not wearing safety belts. Limit the number of passengers to travel together to 2 including the driver.

There is a direct relationship between the likelihood of teen car crashes and their parents driving record and habits. Set the right example, whether you are the parent of a teen driver or 16 years before that. Remember you are a role model and must practice safe driving to set an example.

Although we all have "Good Jewish Children", I must list this one "just in case". Prohibit drinking and other drug use in combination with driving, either as a driver or a passenger; offer a free call and ride home in case your teenager has been abusing drugs or alcohol or is with a driver who is doing so.

If it does not exist yet, organize a "safe ride" program. Get involved by volunteering to drive to and/or from weddings, graduations and other events where alcohol may be served.

Choose vehicles for safety and avoid cars with high-performance images, such as sports cars; be sure the car the teen drives is properly maintained, especially windshield wipers, brakes and tires.

As a group of parents of your teenager's friends or at least with your own child, have the teens take the responsibility of making sure all passengers and the driver are buckled up.

How do I tell my "Little Grown-up" that we as parents also have rules about driving?

It is also important to establish and discuss "house rules" about driving even before your teen gets a license. Remind your teen that these rules are in place because you care about his or her safety. If your teen complains about the rules, stand firm. Perhaps call them “guidelines” instead of "rules". Additionally, you might say something like, "I don't care what other parents are doing, I care about you and don't want you to get in a crash." Remember, you control the car keys. Don't hesitate to take away driving privileges if your teen breaks any rules. Resist the urge to break the house rules yourself and let your teen drive because it is too much trouble for you to drive. Instead, try to arrange a car pool of parents and take turns driving.

You do not need to wait for graduated licensing laws to be passed in your area to adopt your own graduated driving rules.

Avi Maderer is the director of Rubenu—The Israel Social Norms Resource Center. He can be reached by email at avim@rubenu.org