i need a job in driving
It's not easy being teen
By: Jack Nerad for Driving Today
Date: Monday, 13. November 2006
You hear a lot about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, especially if you're a teen, and while we don't want to minimize the threat of substance abuse, they are not the top killer of teenagers. Instead the number one cause of death among teens is car crashes. In fact, the fatality rate for teenage drivers is nearly four times higher than for drivers past their teenage years.
But if you have a teenage driver in your family, you don't have to thow up you hands and give up. There are effective ways to help your teenager stay safe.
One way is by making the teen's vehicle as safe as it can be. Make sure your teen's car has important active and safety equipment such as airbags and anti-lock brakes. Cars that are newer are usually safer because they have more safety features, including the latest in crash-protection technology. Also, it is an excellent idea to obtain professional driving instruction for your teen.
Another good idea to help reduce potential distractions by limiting the number of passengers allowed in the car with your teen, as well as the hours during which they are allowed to drive. Data from the National Traffic and Safety Administration shows that 63 percent of teen deaths occur when there are multiple teens in the same vehicle and more than half of teen crashes happen at night.
Also, make sure your teen has the proper equipment in their vehicle before hitting the road, including a cell phone with emergency road service numbers and emergency supplies like a spare tire, lug wrench and flashlight. And the number-one safety measure is the religious use of seatbelts, which reduces their risk of injury or even death by nearly 50 percent.
- Learning to drive: a guide for parents
- Drivers.com's articles and links on New Drivers
- Issues facing teen drivers
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All Comments (5)
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taimur,
Derek Nevitt,
My daughter is learning to drive and we have recently had two additional passengers in the vehicle. Is this permitted or not under the terms and conditions of the insurance ?
Dan,
The experts will probably agree as well. Kids not only pick up driving knowledge and tips such as road signs, rights of way and so on, they also learn "road culture" when they are with their parents in the car. Some people say as early as 5 or 6 kids begin to pick up driving knowledge and attitudes
Unknown,
I strongly agree with you on this matter, I have a 9-year-old girl and I'm talking to her about driving. =)
Susan,
I recommend that parents start teaching their children about driving at an early age. That does NOT mean just let them drive. It means talking to them about the responsibilities of driving a car, what can happen with careless operation of a car, adhering to laws, the pitfalls of driving in adverse weather and the basic operation of a vehicle.
I starting talking to my daughter about driving when she was going somewhere with me at about 7 or 8. By the time she was 11, she knew what the road signs were, was able to think about what she would do if she was driving, and how to get help if she was driving alone and something happened. Shortly after that, she expressed an interest in actually driving, I took her to a private parking lot and taught her the basics. I was always in the car with her, it was always on private property and she is not allowed to drive alone or on public roads. By the time that she was able to get her permit, she had been driving with me for almost 2 years and has never gotten a ticket or had an accident. When she gets her license, she will get another 15-20 hours with her Father or I in the car and can't drive with other teens in the car for at least a year.
Just my thoughts but my Mother taught me at a very early age and I've had a perfect driving record since I was a pre-teen.
Susan
