Set Expectations
While teen driving statistics are troubling, research suggests parents who set rules cut accident risk in half. Talk openly about your expectations for behind-the-wheel behavior.
- Draw up a formal Teen Driving Contract that clearly defines the rules and consequences associated with driving privileges.
- Set a driving curfew. More than 40 percent of teen auto deaths occur between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- Limit the number of passengers allowed in your teen’s car. For teenagers, the relative risk of a fatal crash increases as the number of passengers increases.
- Make all cell phone use off-limits while driving. Texting or talking on a cell phone can double the likelihood of an accident.
- Encourage your teen to exercise his or her rights as a passenger. Only 44 percent of teens say they would speak up if someone were driving in a way that scared them.