TEEN DRIVING
by Tom mcmahon


Rules, Behavioral Contracts and Practical Tips

Other than high school graduation, there is no more important milestone from a teenager's perspective than getting a driver's license. Getting their "wheels," as teens call it, represents freedom and status. Although a teen's newfound mobility may help to ease up on mom and dad's role as the family taxi drivers, this teenage milestone isn't one that many parents look forward to. Parents know there will be new expenses and concerns that come with this new territory.

It is now common knowledge that teen drivers receive more citations and are injured and killed in greater numbers than any other group of drivers. The National Highway Safety Administration has reported that traffic crashes are the number-one killer of teenagers in the United States.25 A report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety states that "teenagers as a group are more willing to take risks and less likely to use safety belts. Teenagers are also more likely than older drivers to underestimate the dangers in hazardous situations, and they're less able to cope with such dangers."

Researchers say parents can help lower the risks. A Georgia-based research group stated that "parents need to provide longer periods of supervised driving in low risk settings and serve as role models by driving safely themselves." The National Highway Safety Administration agrees that young people need to practice their driving skills more. The administration's recommending that states go to a three-tier licensing that includes a learner's permit, provisional license, and a full license.

Parents cringe when they see the cost for insuring their young drivers. Insurance rates can soar up to 250 percent when a young man is added to a policy in some states, and by 50 percent or more for young women. Parents recommend shopping around for insurance policies. Good student discounts are available from most insurers, and some offer substantial discounts if teens and parents attend a company-sponsored workshop.
The following section includes some creative tips you can use with your teen driver.
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SAFETY FEATURES FOR OLDER CARS Many of the older models of cars—the ones that many teens are attracted to because of the low price —are not equipped with even the basic safety features, such as shoulder harnesses. I told my son that any car he considers buying must have a headrest and shoulder harnesses. If they don't have these features, he must install them before he gets behind the wheel. Bennett Oppenheim, Mission San Jose, California

DRIVING CONTRACT Soon after my son received his driver's license, I gave him a written contract to sign which listed his responsibilities for using the family car. He was responsible for all tickets, paying for his own gas, washing the car weekly, checking the fluid levels weekly, and returning the car on time for the rest of the family to use. If my son failed on any of these responsibilities, his car privileges could be taken away (this was also included in the contract). Teens take written contracts more seriously than verbal agreements. M.I., Minneapolis, Minnesota

LOG 1,000 MILES BEFORE GETTING LICENSE After receiving their learner's permits to drive, our three teens had to log 1,000 miles driving with my husband or me before they could apply for their license. It usually took them less than a year to accumulate the mileage because we would let them do much of the driving on our vacations and they would frequently drive from our country home to town. They kept track of their miles in a little book that was kept in the car. By the time they had logged 1,000 miles, they had driven at night, in winter road conditions, and had encountered most other driving conditions. Shirley Yungclas, Webster City, Iowa

DRIVING LICENSE FOR B AVERAGE I required my teens to achieve a B average in their schoolwork before they could apply for a driver's license. It was a great motivator to pick up the pace in school. The minimum grade-point-average should be tied to your child's ability. For example, if your child has been getting substandard grades, perhaps a C average would be a reasonable goal to achieve. Susie Anderson, Mission San Jose, California

B AVERAGE TO DRIVE Long before my son was old enough to apply for his driver's license, I explained the rules: He must have a B average in school before he can apply for his learner's permit, and he must pay for one-half of his car insurance. If he loses his B average, he loses his privilege to drive. If he maintains a B+ average, Dad pays for all of his car insurance. This rule turned out to be a better motivator for good grades than anything I had previously tried. B.O., Ventura, California

CAR OWNERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY I believe that teenagers who share in at least some of the financial responsibility (insurance, car payments, maintenance, etc.) for the vehicle they use tend to be more responsible drivers and take better care of the vehicle. After all, it's their investment, too. I also get my teens involved in some of the other more mundane aspects of car ownership: shopping for insurance, taking care of paperwork at the Department of Motor Vehicles, and getting the car repaired and serviced. B.M., Natchitoches, Louisiana

CONSEQUENCES OF CAR OWNERSHIP Think twice before you decide that your newly licensed sixteen-year-old needs to have his or her own car. There are many long-term consequences of car ownership, including the financial burden of car and insurance payments, one or both of which may be the responsibility of your teenager. The added expenses of car ownership cause some teens to add more hours to their part-time job, leaving even less time for family and studying. Georgia Lou, Flagstaff, Arizona

"CAN I BORROW YOUR CAR?" When I was a teen, my parents let me drive their car, but they never gave me my own set of keys. I always had to ask for them. Looking back now, I think that was smart of my parents. I couldn't just take the car without asking, and it was always clear who owned it. Driving was a privilege, not a right, so it was something that I always valued. Dave Moody, Livermore, California

PAY FOR PARTIAL CAR INSURANCE My fifteen-year-old son is just learning to drive. My wife and I discovered that it's much less expensive to add him to our car insurance policy than for him to get his own policy. Before we allow him to get his license, he has to come up with one-half of the extra cost of adding him to our policy. We'll pay the other half. We also expect him to help with some of the driving chores. W.G.W., New Paltz, New York

CAR INSURANCE Our teens had to pay for their own car insurance before they could drive. They needed to save their allowance or have a part-time job to be able to afford insurance. They knew that speeding tickets and accidents would raise the insurance premiums, so they were responsible drivers from the beginning. David Hopkins, Sacramento, California

CHARGE BY THE MILE My father came up with a fair and equitable way for his teenagers to share the costs of operating the family car. He would check the odometer before we left and again when we returned, and he charged us a nominal fee per mile that we had driven. That covered the cost of gas, oil, maintenance, and insurance. We thought twice before driving someplace without a real purpose in mind, and cruising was out of the question. B.B., Bountiful, Utah
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PARENT SKILL BUILDER
IS YOUR TEENAGER READY FOR A LICENSE?

When your teenager drives well enough to pass the state driving test for a provisional license, ask yourself the questions below. You may have overlooked some practice or knowledge your youngster needs.

1. Have we discussed alcohol, drugs, and driving?
2. Does my son or daughter know what to do if he or she has been drinking and feels it's unsafe to drive?
3. Have we practiced in heavy city traffic?
4. Have we practiced on one-way streets and at intersections with three-way signals?
5. Have we practiced using a left-turn lane?
6. Have we practiced on small country roads, on graveled roads with potholes, and on hills?
7. Have we practiced in bad weather?
8. Have we practiced at night?
9. Have we practiced what to do if an emergency occurs?
10.Have we discussed what to do if a collision occurs?
11.Does my teenager know I can cancel his or her license at any time, for any reason I feel is valid? Does my young driver know I will cancel the license if he or she drives irresponsibly or violates traffic laws?

Reprinted from Parent-Teen Training Aide, published by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
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"TICKETS WILL COST YOU!" My husband and I paid for our teenagers' car insurance unless they got two moving violations in a period of three years. This was great incentive for them not to have a lead foot on the accelerator pedal. Karen Dombek, San Diego, California

PAY FOR TICKET AND INSURANCE If one of our children gets a ticket while driving, they have to pay for the ticket and the resulting increase in our car insurance policy premiums. P.R., Billings, Montana

REWARD FOR GOOD DRIVING When each of our four children turned sixteen and started to drive, we made them an offer: If our car insurance had not been increased by their twentieth birthday due to an accident of theirs or excessive tickets, we would write them a check for an agreed amount of money. I joyfully gave them the money on their twentieth birthday. This was great incentive for them to drive safely during their teen years. Becky Beel, Johnstown, Nebraska

DRIVING LESSONS All three of our sons went to driver education programs shortly after they acquired learner's permits, but we also supervised a lot of practice driving ourselves. After the first week or so, I stopped making "Look out for ..." comments. Instead, I asked the learning driver to talk out loud about the things he was considering as he drove. When I knew he'd already seen the car at the stop sign two blocks up or was planning to downshift for the light that couldn't possible stay green until he got there, I didn't have to behave like a nervous mother. Jeanne Grace, Fairport, New York

"NOW YOU HAVE TO PASS MY DRIVING TEST!" As soon as my son received his learner's permit to drive, I warned him that he had to pass two driving tests—mine and the state's— before he could drive on his own. My test involved safety, defensive driving, and responsiveness. I explained the importance of each safety feature in the car; how it works, and the possible consequences of being involved in an accident without one. Next, I had him bump into a stationary and solid object at 1 mile-per-hour to demonstrate what an impact feels like and point out, once again, how the safety features work. I then had him imagine what an impact would be like at 50 miles-per-hour. To teach defensive driving, I explained the importance of being aware of everything around him when he drives. To practice this awareness while he's driving, I occasionally asked him to tell me everything that he observed such as, "I see a truck passing me on my left, I see the brake lights on the red car in front, I see a car on my right entering the freeway," etc. And finally, the last part of my test is responsiveness. Before driving on his own, I made sure that he had appropriate reactions and judgments to various driving situations. If not, I gave him more supervised experience. When it came time to take the state's driving test, he was confident and self-assured; after all, he had passed a much more difficult test—his dad's. Bennett Oppenheim, Mission San Jose, California

NO PASSENGERS WITHOUT OUR APPROVAL Our daughter had to get our permission first before having passengers with her during the first three months after receiving her driver's license. We implemented this rule for safety reasons and because we had heard that teens sometimes drive in an unsafe manner to show off for their peers. After three months, we dropped this rule because she had demonstrated responsible driving. M.J.W., El Sobrante, California

"SORRY, MOM, I JUST GAVE THE ACCELERATOR A LITTLE TAP" When your child is taking driving lessons, be sure he knows that a car is capable of moving under its own power, depending on how high the idle is set, and that an accelerator pedal can be very touchy. I didn't realize that my son didn't know that until he was driving my car into the garage one day. It needed to go a little farther, and instead of letting the car's idle inch it along, he gave the accelerator a little tap. It was just a little one but enough to propel the car into the wall of our town house. Luckily, no one was hurt. Needless to say, the next day we went down to the school parking lot to experiment with what a car is capable of doing on its own power or with a little tap on the accelerator. L.K.K., Houston, Texas

"YOU MUST NOT BE MATURE ENOUGH TO DRIVE" My husband and I confronted our sixteen-year-old daughter after we received a phone call from a neighbor who reported seeing her driving fast and dangerously in our neighborhood. We told our daughter that we were very concerned about her safety. We also told her that, if this report was true, she had not used good judgment in driving and we were now wondering if she was mature enough to drive. We explained that if we ever see or hear reports of this kind of driving again, we will automatically take away her license for three to six months. We reminded her of our parental responsibility to protect her from herself if we thought that she wasn't making safe and mature choices for herself. We also outlined a detailed scenario of the possible financial consequences to us if she was involved in an accident. All of this information—knowing that she was being watched by us and others, the negative consequences of poor driving, and our liability being at stake—had a profound effect on her and resulted in better judgment when she was behind the wheel. Anonymous, Queens, New York

CONSEQUENCE FOR CAR CRASH After our son crashed our family car at a location to which he had previously been told not to drive, I stapled his driver's license to the repair bill and made him responsible for the entire bill. It took him a few months to pay the bill and get his license back. Anonymous

FAMILY RULE FOR TEEN DRIVING Getting and keeping a driver's license is a privilege for our teen-agers, not a right. They were advised that if any of their school grades fell below a "C" on their report cards, their permit or license would become the property of the parents until their grades got back to the "C" level. This rule became a great motivator to do well in school. -- Debra Williams Sorensen, Eugene, Ore.

LIFESAVING KNOWLEDGE FOR TEEN DRIVERS Many teens who drive have never been taught how to handle road emergencies. Make sure your teen knows what to do if a tire blows out, the brakes fail, an accident occurs, etc. He or she should also have experience changing a tire. This knowledge could save his or her life. -- Melissa Hankins, Fremont, Calif.

A CLUTCH DRIVER I used a car with a clutch to teach both of my children how to drive. By doing so, they knew early on how to drive any car. I also taught them how to change a tire. Julius Frei, Mission San Jose, California

Author's Note: Although it's important for every driver to learn how to drive a clutch (stick) vehicle, most experts recommend beginning driving lessons with a vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission.

DRIVER TRAINING FOR TEENS I have two helpful tips for parents who are teaching their teens how to drive. First, ask your teen to describe what he is seeing as he drives. For example: “I see some kids playing in the driveway on the right. I’ll slow down,” or “I see that my lane will merge with the left lane just down the street.” This teaches them to be super-alert for potential dangers. Second, since people learn by observing others, ask your teen to critique your driving. This will cause him to watch your speed, whether you use your mirrors correctly, checking the blind spot, etc. -- T.L., San Diego
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PARENT SKILL BUILDER
Driving Contract for Teens

For many teens, passing the state driving test is only the first step toward getting their “wheels” and resulting freedom. Many parents are imposing their own rules that are stricter than the state laws—and they’re backed by a written contract signed by parent and teen. Always follow through with the consequences listed in the contract if the rule is broken, no matter how inconvenient it becomes for you. Here’s a sample driving contract:

Driving Contract
Thou shalt . . .
1. Not let anyone except for your parents drive the Jetta
2. Not drive under the influence of drugs (including alcohol) or have any drugs (including alcohol) in the car.
3. Not transport more passengers then there are seatbelts and not drive until all passengers have buckled up.
4. Not drive the car off the road or in extreme adverse weather/road conditions.
5. Maintain the Jetta inside and out, including gas, oil, air filters, tire pressure, fluid levels, body, etc.
6. Pay for any increase in insurance premiums caused by traffic violations.
7. Pay for any damages not covered by insurance and any increase in insurance premiums that are the result of an accident you are at fault for.
8. Maintain a GPA greater than 3.0.
9. Pay for any increased insurance premium for not maintaining a “good student discount.”

Any violation of any of the above may result in Dad revoking driving privileges and/or possession of the Jetta.
Signed,
Dad _______________ Brandon _________________ Date ____________

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Drinking and Driving

Drinking and driving is a deadly combination—especially for teenagers. Car crashes are the number-one cause of death for teenagers, and alcohol is frequently a factor.
Talk to your teen about drinking and driving and about being a passenger with someone who has been using drugs or alcohol. Tell your teen never to make an exception for mixing drugs or alcohol and driving; there are always better alternatives. It takes only one incident to cause injury or death. Role-play realistic situations that could happen on a teen outing or date and offer alternatives to getting into a car with a driver who has been drinking.

State legislators and local governments have experimented with a variety of plans to curtail the problem of teenage drinking and driving. The most effective policies are ones that include zero tolerance of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and, most importantly, involve the immediate suspension of the driver's license. The threat of losing his or her driver's license gets a teen's attention faster than anything, including trying to instill a fear of possible injury or death.

Many states have already adopted or are considering zero tolerance laws relating to teens. California recently adopted a law stating that anyone under twenty-one who is arrested for any alcohol or other drug offense will have their license suspended for at least one year. The alcohol or other drug offense need not be driving related. If the teen doesn't have a driver's license they must wait an additional year before one will be issued. If the teen is convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol, they could be sentenced to serve time in a juvenile correctional facility and/or be charged fines and schooling fees amounting to $1,000 or more. Any measurable amount of alcohol is enough to be arrested if the individual was driving. Other states have adopted similar laws.

There is also a growing trend for parents to adopt their own zero tolerance rules, including loss of license, for their teens in regards to drinking and driving. "A driver's license is sacred to teenagers. They will do almost anything to ensure their privilege to continue driving," said one mom who wrote out the rules for her teen and made him sign it before she even let him take out his learner's permit. Strict rules and tough consequences are in order for an infraction that has such frightening potential results.
The following tips represent the feelings and ideas of many parents I talked to during the course of preparing my book—TEEN TIPS.

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DRINKING AND DRIVING I lost my oldest teenage daughter at the hands of a drunk driver--her best friend. I have told my other children that if I ever hear of them getting into a vehicle with a driver who has been drinking or using drugs, or if they drive under the influence themselves, they will never again have access to the keys of my car. And they know that I mean business. I hope that no other mother has to go through the ordeal of losing a child. I beg you to open your eyes and not be in denial about the possibility of your teens using alcohol or drugs, and then driving. Talk to them and warn them before another tragedy happens. Ann Salah, Fremont, California

NO SECOND CHANCES I made my son promise that he would never—under any circumstances—drive a car after he had consumed ANY amount (even one sip) of alcohol. The same rule applied to any driver of a car in which he was a passenger. I explained that car accidents were the number one cause of death for teenagers and that many of these accidents were alcohol related. I also told him that this is one of those life and death situations where you may not be given a second chance. I explained that you may think you can drive a car after only one beer, but you can't. I reminded him that all of those teenagers who died in alcohol-related accidents thought the same thing when they got behind the wheel. Together we thought of scenarios that he might encounter and solutions to each one. We brainstormed options: call me, call a cab, go with another driver, stay at a friend's house, etc. Finally, I explained that if he ever disobeyed this rule, especially after this conversation, the consequences would be far worse than anything his imagination could think of. B.O., Ventura, California

Author's Note: Role-playing, as suggested in this tip, is one of the most effective strategies to convince teens that there are alternatives to getting into a car with a driver who has been drinking or using drugs

EMERGENCY CAB FARE My daughter confessed to driving home one night with a driver who had been drinking. She claimed that she had no other way to get home. I explained emphatically that there are always better alternatives than riding home with a drunk driver or even someone who had consumed only one beer. I encouraged her to call a cab and I would gladly pay for it. I showed her where I had hidden $50 to cover any cab fare in case I wasn't home. She now feels less trapped in potentially dangerous situations. R.R., Houston, Texas

AN EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE Upon learning that my teenage daughter drove our car after drinking some beer, I arranged for the two of us to spend a Saturday evening at the emergency room of our local hospital. Two alcohol-related car crashes that evening resulted in a number of individuals being treated at the emergency room. The lesson my daughter learned that night was better than fifty stern lectures. Teens have to see to believe! B.J.J., Phoenix, Arizona

For Further Information

Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD), P.O. Box 800, Marlborough, MA 01752. Educates adolescents about the dangers of drinking and driving. SADD publishes a newsletter and guidelines for starting new groups.

Parents need to protect their teens from themselves. Try to provide the safest possible car for your teen to drive. Go to www.highwaysafety.org for safety ratings.

A wonderful brochure for parents of teen drivers. I highly recommend it. Go to www.iihs.org/brochures/pdf/beginning_drivers.pdf