Creating Safe, Confident Teen Drivers
Practice. Many states have graduated driving laws that require 30 hours or more of practice time, but some parents choose to spend as much as a year. Schedule several times a week to drive with your teen.
Reward positive behavior. Parents sometimes dwell on teens’ driving mistakes. Be sure to mention when your teen is doing something right. Offer incentives along the way, such as rewards for no violations.
Set clear consequences for breaking rules. According to SADD’s research, teens are more likely to maintain safe driving habits if their parents enforce clear consequences. Be consistent with punishments such as taking away car privileges for infractions. Your teen should know what consequences come with each infraction and why this behavior is wrong.
Use a driving contract. Driving contracts help you set clear expectations. Here’s an example.
Model Good Driving Habits
Your teen pays attention to your driving. Model the following safe habits:
Don’t eat, fiddle with the radio, or talk on a cell phone while driving.
Don’t speed.
Always wear a safety belt.
Don’t take out anger on other drivers.
Don’t have arguments while driving.
Evelyn Tucci 03/06/08
I never learned to drive because I grew up in a city; my daughter is now 16 and in a private driving program. I am looking forward to her taking me everywhere when she gets her license! Her father is very critical of every turn and how much room she leaves between cars, etc. But she really enjoys it when I’m aboard, because I can just be a passenger and enjoy the ride. I think this may promote a better relationship with us as we both get older.
Read more comments