Surviving My Teen | Teen Drivers

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Surviving My Teen

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Teen Drivers

Posted by: Lily on December 19, 2007 at 11:55AM EST

In the last week I learned of two friends whose children, both age 16, have had car accidents. In both cases the teens were at fault and were luckily unhurt, but shaken up. The boy totalled his father's car and the girl did $11,000 to her car!!

I am already concerned about when my son gets his license and he's only 13 years old! There are so many distractions....cell phones, music, texting, showing off, acting cool....it's just endless!

I recently saw an ad in the paper about the Allstate Insurance Company's Teen Driving Contract. It discusses expectations and consequences and I think it's fabulous. I want to share it so we as parents can start a dialogue with our teens who are already drivers or will become drivers. Check it out and tell me what you think.

http://www.allstateteendriver.com/contract

(3) Comments

Posted by: juff on January 9, 2008 8:46AM EST

Though I am 4 years away from having to face the issue of my kids driving, I truly appreciate all of the above advice. I love what was said about driving being a priviledge not a right. The idea of a sticker identifying your child as a rookie driver was also a great idea. I will pass these along to friend's who are already at this stage of life. Thanks!

Posted by: Corinne Fortenbacher on December 22, 2007 10:46AM EST

Lily you are right to be concerned! I too was very concerned when my son began driving - together we designed a sport logo magnet to identify our new teen driver while he was learning to drive with his learners permit. (www.rookiedriver.net)

The best advice I can give is find the best driving school you can and when your teen earns their driving permit - identify your car so other drivers know your child is stilll learning - you will find other drivers will give them a little space and understanding if they can see they are a new driver.

Then take him to practice driving as often as you can - experience is the key to learning to be a skilled driver. If you don't feel he is ready - do not let him get his drivers license when he turns 16. Driving is a privledge not a right that your child has at age 16. You as the parent get to "grant" that privledge to your child - make sure you are comfortable with his driving ability. If you are not - practice some more with him.

Even after you are comfortable with his driving skill, it is still scary. I still get nervous every time my son leaves in his car. But when I hear that garage door open and he arrives back home it is like getting a present!

Posted by: Dorothy Stahlnecker on December 22, 2007 1:22AM EST

You can never give kids enough information regarding driving and their responsibilities. In some states they are not allowed to have passengers until a certain level of driving. Showing them true live videos where teens have made errors in judgments is also a good way to put subliminal thoughts in their minds. Even if you think it won't help, it can't hurt to be proactive. Good luck.

Dorothy from grammology
remember to call gram
http://grammology.com