Daily Tips for Families

Today's Tip for Families

11-09-2021

Develop a Driving Agreement With Your Teen Driver

Your teenager has just earned his driver’s license. You know that young drivers are three times more likely to have an accident than drivers over the age of 20. But what can you do to help keep your new driver safe?

Give your teen driving responsibility in slow steps. One way to do this is to create a contract with your teen.

The American Automobile Association suggests that a driving contract should:

Give your teen an opportunity to improve his driving skills gradually. Some families make it a rule that teens need to drive their first 500 miles with a parent. Others say that teens can’t drive at night for a period of several months.
Spell out exactly what is—and isn’t—allowed. Review the wording carefully. If you say, “Do not drive the car if you have been drinking,” some teens might hand the keys to another friend who has also been drinking. Say, “No one who has had even one drink may drive the car.” Be clear that “There is no texting, reading texts or looking at your phone while driving.”
Lay out the consequences. If your teen gets a ticket, will he lose driving privileges? Make sure you both understand what will happen.
Require your teen to continue practicing driving with you. In inclement weather—a rainy day, for example—go out together. Give your teen a chance to learn the skills he’ll need to drive safely.

Brought to you by:

Webster County Schools

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