
New drivers can send a parent’s stress-level soaring. Here are some strategies to control a young driver's impact on your peace of mind.
- Consider preparing your child with a course in defensive driving as a tool for avoiding accidents and increasing that driver’s confidence.
- Require your young driver to understand, sign and comply with the Youthful Operator Driver Safety Agreement.
- Be a proper model by using seat belts and never using alcohol or drugs.
- Provide your child with a well-maintained vehicle, equipped with air bags and anti-lock brakes. Also, avoid vehicles that are vulnerable to serious damage during collisions or due to "rolling over."
- Control your child's driving privileges...don't hesitate to curtail or revoke them in response to poor behavior.
- Be certain that he or she can properly pass vehicles, maintain a correct distance, park, merge and exit, change lanes, make turns, obey speed limits and be aware of pedestrians.
- Make sure your child understands traffic laws and has a healthy respect for the power of the automobile.
- Don't let your child become licensed until he or she passes YOUR driving test which must include the ability to drive under adverse conditions (dark, fog, rain, ice, snow, rush-hour traffic, etc.).