Parents' Pointers

As parents we all want our kids to be safe.  We don’t care if they are 6 months old or 16 years old.  One of the scariest things we do is let our kids grow up.  Learning to drive is one of the first big steps in this process.  Unfortunately, it is also one of the most deadly.  In 2005 (the most recent statistics available at this time) there were over 7000 fatalities in the US involving young drivers, according to the NHTSA.  Here are some tips from their web site as well as those of us who have learned the hard way.

1.       Tired drivers are dangerous drivers.

Make sure your young driver has adequate rest.  I know from experience this is very hard to put in to practice.  Be sure they are aware that one of the main things causing accidents is drowsiness.  Always be ready to step up and drive them when needed.

 2.        Always lead by example.

If we want our kids to wear seat belts because they are, hands down, the best way to reduce and prevent death and injuries on our roads, we have to wear them.  No one wants to feel hemmed in, but let’s face it; there are a lot more cars on the road today than there were even 10 years ago.

 3.        Don’t allow your young drivers to have televisions in their vehicles. 

They are distracting to anyone and if you are an inexperienced driver, guess what?  Being distracted is easier when you haven’t learned to “tune things out”.  Distractions are perfectly willing to kill your child or let them hurt someone else.

 4.        Make sure you don’t have them drive unruly children, especially more than one.

Talk about a distraction!!!  I guarantee that I am not the only one who has been forced to pull the car over to let the disagreement die down.  Teens, however, will probably not bother to pull over.  Again, this is a major distraction to someone who needs to remember all the ways to control a car.

 5.       Try very hard to not let the passenger list get long.  Other teens don’t set out  to be mean, but will talk them in to way more than they would think of on there own.

Peer pressure-enough said!!!

 6.        Encourage your teens to leave with plenty of time to get where they are going.

Speeding doesn’t only make them more likely to wreck, it increases the injuries when they do because of momentum.

 7.        Do you have enough police presence in your area?

Kids don’t really care about the ticket per say.  What they do care about, is having to tell Mom or Dad.  Thinking they may get a ticket will slow them down some.  It will also make them think twice before driving while drinking.

 8.       Does your state have graduated driving laws?

These laws limit numbers of passengers in cars, ban cell phone use, limit driving hours, etc.  If your state does not have them, call your legislators and suggest they research them.  They are one of the most proven ways to limit crashes and fatalities in the 16-20 year old age group.

 As our kids grow up and take on more responsibility, it is easy to just step back and take a deep sigh of relief.  “They can do this for themselves!”  I know it gets old being a chauffer, but remember they will be gone soon enough.  What I wouldn’t give to drive my daughter just one more time….