My first and only car accident as a teen happened within weeks of getting my license. I was seriously backing out of a church parking lot going so slowly for fear of a passing car that I drove right into the car next to me (now they were over the line..but still)  While I doubt many teens hit a car at 1 mph, most teen accidents will happen within 6 months of receiving their license. Many teen accidents are very serious, even deadly.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15 to 20 year olds with over 2 million accidents-both fatal and non-fatal-a year.

Teens are involved in 3-4 times the number of accidents ,with more teens dying during summer months than any other time of year.

Here is Dr. Deb’s  5 step Safe Teen Driving Plan


1.  Take Baby Steps

Inexperience is one of the primary causes of teen accidents

You wouldn’t expect your child to run a marathon 6 months after learning to walk, neither should you expect the minimum drivers education to be enough training for teen safety.

Graduated programs work showing a 20-40 % reduction in accidents when there are at least 60 hours of supervision with 10 of those hours at night before teens are allowed to drive alone. This takes serious parental involvement that should start years before the child is even able to drive.

Simple things, like what streets would you take to get to Grandma’s house will help the child think about their surroundings. We live in a tech age where instead of looking out the window like I did as a child, kids are engrossed in electronic devices and less aware of the road when the time comes for them to drive.

Add a Dangerous Condition Driving Class in addition to regular drivers education so they know how to brake in bad weather, handle hydroplaning and other unexpected events. My second accident occurred in my 20s when I hydroplaned on a rainy highway using cruise control. I incorrectly tried to steer my way out of it, which resulted in me doing a couple 360s on the expressway. Now I know not to use cruise control in the rain and hold on if I hydroplane. These topics are not typically covered in regular drivers ed and a dangerous conditions class can much better prepare kids for the unpredictable.

Wait before for allowing riskier conditions such as night driving, highway driving, bad weather driving or driving with other teens in the car until they have 6 months of experience.

The law in my home-state of Ohio allows for only 1 passenger outside of a family member until age 17 and also prohibits driving from midnight to 6am until 18 years unless a parent is present and other exemptions. Learn more Ohio Law here. You can  Find Your State Teen Driving Law here.

2. Zero Tolerance for Distracted Driving

87% of the 6,000 teens that die every year from Motor Vehicle accidents die because of driving with distractions. Most accidents occur within 3 seconds of being distracted.

Distracted driving includes cell phones, texting, eating, drinking, and talking with passengers and even navigation systems.

Make your child’s car a

NO PHONE ZONE!

Many states already have bans on texting and cell phone use. Check out your states law here.

You can purchase was great software at web safety that can track your childs text and automatically turnoff your child’s phone if it is going a preset miles per hour like it would be if they are driving.

Teen passengers are another HUGE distraction so limit driving with other teens. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 1 extra passenger  for a teen driver doubles the risk for a fatal crash, 2 passengers triple the risk and 3 or more increase the risk 6 fold. It is the law in Ohio that 16 year old drivers may have only 1 non family passenger.

3. Be a role model

Obeying simple traffic rules such buckle up and not speeding would prevent the majority of teen deaths related to driving. 60%-75% of teen drivers and almost 70% of passengers who were killed in car crashes were not wearing seat belts.

Make it a habit for all in the car.

Be a great model and teach them about safety, not how to cut someone off or speed.

4. Know to Say No

Obviously there should be no drinking of alcohol with teen drivers since they cannot legally possess alcohol but 25 percent of young drivers (15 to 20 years old) who were killed in crashes had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC)  .08 or higher.

This may be controversial for some but I recommend giving your child a breathalyzer to test anyone that may be driving them. Of course they should not have any alcohol but since 30% of teen drivers are drinking, teach them how little alcohol it takes to be over the legal limit.  If someone does drink, they often underestimate the effect that it has. “I’m fine to drive!”  A breathalyzer shows that you can “be fine” but still over the legal limit!

Make sure your child knows that you will pick them up, no questions asked, anytime if they are in a dangerous situation.

5. Sign a Contract

It is important to spell out all of the family road rules so that everyone is aware of the expectations and consequences.

Here is an example of a contract from the CDC.

PARENT-TEEN DRIVING CONTRACT (copied from CDC website)

I, _______________________________, will drive carefully and cautiously and will be courteous to other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians at all times.

I promise that I will obey all the rules of the road.

·            Always wear a seat belt and make all my passengers buckle up

·            Obey all traffic lights, stop signs, other street signs, and road markings

·            Stay within the speed limit and drive safely

·            Never use the car to race or to try to impress others

·            Never give rides to hitchhikers

I promise that I will make sure I can stay focused on driving.

·            Drive with both hands on the wheel

·            Never eat, drink, or use a cell phone to talk or text messages while I drive

·            Drive only when I am alert and in emotional control

·            Call my parents for a ride home if I am impaired in any way that interferes with my ability to drive safely

·            Never use earphones to listen to mp3 player or other electronic devices while I drive

I promise that I will respect laws about drugs and alcohol.

·            Drive only when I am alcohol and drug free

·            Never allow any alcohol or illegal drugs in the car

·            Be a passenger only with drivers who are alcohol and drug free

I promise that I will be a responsible driver.

·            Drive only when I have permission to use the car and I will not let anyone else drive the car unless I have              permission

·            Drive someone else’s car only if I have parental permission

·            Pay for all traffic citations or parking tickets

·            Complete my family responsibilities and maintain good grades at school

as listed here:______________________________________________

·            Contribute to the costs of gasoline, maintenance, and insurance as listed

here: _____________________________________________________

‐ Continued ‐Additional Promises: ____________________________________________________________________________________

I agree to the following restrictions, but understand that these restrictions will be modified by my parents as I get more driving experience and demonstrate that I am a responsible driver.

·            For the next _____ months, I will not drive after ________ pm.

·            For the next _____ months, I will not transport more than _______ teen passengers (unless I am

supervised by a responsible adult).

·            For the next _____ months, I won’t adjust the stereo, electronic devices, or air

conditioning/heater while the car is moving.

·            For the next _____ months, I will not drive in bad weather.

·            I understand that I am not permitted to drive to off‐limit locations or on roads and highways as

listed here:

·            Additional restrictions:

I agree to follow all the rules and restrictions in this contract. I understand that my parents will impose penalties (see below), including removal of my driving privileges, if I violate the contract. I also understand that my parents will allow me greater driving privileges as I become more experienced and as I demonstrate that I am always a safe and responsible driver.

Penalties for contract violations

·            Drove after drinking alcohol or using drugs No driving for ______ months

·            Got ticket for speeding or moving violation No driving for ______ months

·            Drove after night driving curfew No driving for ______ weeks/months

·            Drove too many passengers No driving for ______ weeks/months

·            Broke promise about seat belts (self and others) No driving for ______ weeks/months

·            Drove on a road or to an area that is off‐limits No driving for ______ weeks/months

Signatures

·            Driver: _______________________________________            Date: ________________ ·            Parent promise: I also agree to drive safely and to be an excellent role model.

·            Parent (or guardian): ____________________________            Date: ________________ ·            Parent (or guardian): ____________________________            Date: ________________

Adapted from the American Academy of Pediatrics “Parent‐Teen Driving Agreement”

(www.aap.org/publiced/BR_TeenDriver.htm)

Handing over the keys is one of the most terrifying acts that a parent will do. Make sure that your child is maximally prepared to face these challenges.

Safe Journey!

Dr. Deb