What kinds of rules have been set for teen drivers in your family?
Our daughter wasn’t allowed to get her full driver’s license until she was 18.
Michael, Montclair, VA, parent of a girl (now 23) and a boy, 11
Replace the gas you used, clean any trash out, wash the car once in a while! All persons in the car have to wear seat belts. If you decide to drink and need a ride home, we will come to get you. And never let anyone else drive the car unless it is a dire emergency.
Terry, Albany, NY, parent of three adult sons and a girl, 16
What are the consequences if a teen in your family breaks a rule?
When our daughter was pulled over for speeding, we found out she had eight kids in the car. We had specifically said we didn’t want more than two. She was grounded and lost car privileges for about three weeks.
Jenna, West Springfield, MA, parent of a girl, 3, and boy, 12, and stepparent of a girl, 17, and boy, 15
My daughter had a fender-bender and had to pay most of the cost for repair, with a part-time job. If either teen has a moving violation or a crash that is their fault, we're looking at a one- to three-month loss of driving privileges.
Timothy
How do you feel about teens owning and driving their own car?
We've chosen not to buy our teens a car. A teen who owns a car drives far more than one who must share. Car crashes kill more teens than guns, drugs, suicide, and alcohol combined, so reducing that exposure is important.
Timothy
YUNFENG CHANG, HOUSTON, TX 11/03/07
Professional driving school vs parent:
I believe I appreciate the value of the driving school, it has the resources to deal with young drivers. The students are treated professionally.
My question is do the students get the "down-to-earth" experience shared by driving school instructors?
A bad habit can be very difficult to correct. The "My Instructor Does Not See that as a Problem" - or "How can you be better than a driving school instructor?"
Please weigh the pros and cons.
Thank you
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