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Distracted Driving Awareness Month- Teen Driving

Thank you SheSavvy and The National Safety Council www.nsc.org for sponsoring this article and supplying us this information for our readers! 

Parents have to be the EXAMPLE for our TEENS!

When I was ready to start driving my dad took me out to the country and let me drive, however when a car came towards us I freaked out and pulled over.  That was the last time my dad tried to teach me to drive, so I didn’t drive until I was 18 yrs old when my boyfriend showed me.  I’m not going to do that to my kids; I want them to feel comfortable when it comes to driving.  I’m in my 40’s and still hate driving.  I’m excited that my kids will be driving me around too, Driving Ms. Pam! 

Before we do all that though we will be discussing our rules and of course what the laws are in our state, (remember there are different). I want to reinforce that driving is a privilege, and it can easily be taken away if rules are not followed.  I also need to sit down with my husband because he needs to calm down his road rage since that is not a healthy way to drive and I don’t want my kids taking after him!  Show them the correct way, not the wrong way! 

Hands at 9 and 3:

Please look over these points and make sure you discuss with your teen and anyone else that will be driving around your kids. Lead by example is crucial and that is why I’m on my husband because he has gotten very comfortable over the past 20 years of driving. 

Teen Risks:

  1. Car crashes are the #1 killer of teens
  2. Teens crash most often because they are inexperienced – not because they take more risks behind the wheel.
  3. Other teen passengers are one of the biggest distractions for teen drivers. Just one teen passenger raises a teen driver’s fatal crash risk 44 percent. Two passengers will double fatal crash risk. Three or more quadruples crash risk.
  4. Most fatal nighttime crashes involving teen drivers happen between 9 p.m. and midnight
  5. More than half of teens killed in car crashes were not restrained by a seatbelt.

Parents Actions:

  1. Parents are the #1 influencer on teens’ driving behavior
  2. Parents need to practice driving with their teen even AFTER they get their license
  3. Parents should drive how they want their teen to drive
  4. Parents should set rules in the home they don’t answer the phone while driving and you don’t expect their teen to answer the calls/texts while driving
  5. Practice, practice, practice with your teen

 

Sign The New Driver Deal

Please check out more info (which there is a lot!) on DriveitHOME.org.  You can watch some VIDEOS too, plus there are posters that you might want to print out for your teens.  Also, if you have friends that are going through the TEEN DRIVING experience then share Steer Your Teen Down the Right Road with their peers:  http://driveithome.org/resources/parent-presentation/

Digital Driving Coach

Parents!  Stay involved with your teen’s driving experience.  Even AFTER they get their license, practice with them and set rules in your house that are stronger than the state’s GDL law. 

 

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