Parents: How You Can Help Keep Teens Safe on the Road

Motor vehicle crashes are preventable, and parents can make a big difference in keeping teen drivers safe. Your guidance—and helpful, calm advice—can stay with your teen long after he or she takes the car out alone.

Take these steps to help keep your teen safe on the road:

• Ride along with your teen for at least 30–50 hours. Teens lack driving experience; therefore, the more they practice, the better.

• Watch closely and make suggestions on how your teen can improve.

• Practice with your teen at different times of day, in different kinds of weather, and in heavy and light traffic.

• Restrict your teen’s nighttime driving, and make sure your teen is off the road by 9 or 10 pm for at least the first six months he or she has a license.

• Limit your teen to zero or one young passenger for at least the first six months he or she has a license.

• Discuss your rules of the road with your teen. Create a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement that puts these rules in writing to set clear expectations and limits. Don’t forget to update the agreement as your teen’s experience increases.

• Require your teen to wear a seat belt on every trip. It is the simplest way to prevent car crash injuries and deaths.

• Be a good role model for your teen and always buckle up!

In addition, consider safety features first and foremost when choosing a car for your teen. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) publishes a list of affordable vehiclesexternal icon that meet important safety criteria for teens. IIHS also recently released a research paperexternal icon explaining the benefits of newer vehicle technologies for teen drivers – such as crash avoidance features and teen-driver-specific technologies. They also examined the potential of these technologies to dramatically reduce teen crashes and associated injuries and deaths.Teens: Here are the Top 4 Things To Keep in Mind Before You Get Behind the Wheel

• Buckle your seat belt. Seat belts are proven to reduce the risk of death and serious injuries when crashes occur by about halfexternal icon.

• Do not drink any alcohol or use any drugs before getting behind the wheel. These activities are dangerous for any driver but are particularly dangerous for young, inexperienced drivers.

• Put all distractions aside. Make sure your cell phone is off and away. If you need to make a phone call, pull off to a safe location on the side of the road. Even hands-free technology mentally distracts you from driving, and your full attention is needed to drive safely. If you need to use your phone for navigation directions, set it up before you get on the road and pull over to a safe location on the side of the road if you need to make changes. Don’t text or use social media while driving!

• Take the time to familiarize yourself with the vehicle, especially if it is a vehicle you have never driven before. Know where important vehicle features are located, such as the turn signals, windshield wipers, and hazard lights. Adjust the mirrors and steering wheel if necessary. Know the vehicle’s safety features and how to operate it safely. Determine if your vehicle has any advanced safety technologies or driver assistance technologiesexternal icon such as a backup camera or lane departure warnings.