Parenting : How to Teach Your Teen to Drive Safely

When Welmoed Sisson registered her teens for categories at an area driving college, she learned their lessons would come with a mere six hours behind the wheel. Sisson knew her children, Ian and Diana, would not develop safe driving habits while not additional observe, thus she supplemented their drivers education with one-on-one lessons with mom.

"I wished them to own a decent begin," recollects Sisson, 51, a promoting director in Boyds, Md. "I allow them to progress at their own pace to assist them feel additional assured behind the wheel."

Sisson spent ten months providing instruction and encouragement from the passenger seat. the additional time behind the wheel helped: each children are ticket- and accident-free.

Avoiding Teen automotive Accidents

Car accidents are the leading explanation for death for teenagers within the us and sent 350,000 teens to emergency rooms in 2009. Newly licensed drivers have the best risk of accidents, per the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

"Driving is not just regarding information. it is a ability that must be learned," says Laurence Steinberg, PhD, psychology professor at Temple University and author of You and Your Adolescent: The Essential Guide for Ages 10-25.

"Parents got to take a lively role in teaching their children to drive."

Build on the talents they learned in driving college and teach them a way to drive well in dangerous weather, nighttime, and bumper-to-bumper traffic. however do not stop there. "A heap of fogeys assume that when their teenagers get their licenses, it is the finish of their involvement, when it's simply the start," Steinberg says. He advises folks to line clear expectations for brand new drivers, as well as no cellphones or different teens within the automotive. If your teen does not follow the principles, suspend privileges.


Sisson believes that modeling sensible driving behaviors and insisting her teens follow her lead has helped them keep safe behind the wheel. "I feel extremely secure regarding giving them the keys."

Finding a Driving college for Your Teen

Budget cuts have forced several college districts to eliminate drivers education schemes, leaving folks no possibility however to acquire non-public coaching. notice a decent program with the following pointers from Laurence Steinberg, PhD.

Request referrals. raise neighbors and colleagues with licensed teens to advocate driving faculties and instructors. "Other folks will tell you regarding sensible lecturers -- and regarding people who haven't been thus sensible," Steinberg says.
Research the choices. The native AAA workplace and your insurance company might also have recommendations. decision some driving faculties to match. Steinberg advises specializing in programs that supply in-car lessons. And talk over with the higher Business Bureau regarding complaints.
Take a road trip. Visit the colleges and inquire regarding the coaching. "Ask regarding the instructors' credentials and the way a lot of observe students get behind the wheel," Steinberg advises. additional observe time suggests that felt drivers.