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Step 1
Limit the number of passengers allowed in the car. A car full of teens can distract even a seasoned driver. Discourage use of a cell phone while driving. Call a passenger rather than your teen if you know they are driving to or from an event.
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Step 2
Drive with your teen. Allow your teen to drive the family on outings and family vacations. This allows you to keep up to date on her driving skills and notice any developing bad habits.
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Step 3
Enforce local curfew laws in your home. This ensures your teen is home and safe well before the late night crowd is on the road. It also prevents your teen from driving late at night when she is more likely to be tired.
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Step 4
Emphasize driving is a privilege that can be taken away. This gives your teen incentive to obey traffic laws and regulations. Remind your teen that her parents may inflict harsher penalties than imposed by a speeding ticket.
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Step 5
Respect your teen. If you respect them, they do not want to lose that respect. Trust your teen until trust is broken. Most times teens will behave as expected. Building a strong trust relationship will also encourage your teen to call you when they know it is not safe to drive.
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Step 6
Inform your teen that if she is caught driving under the influence, or drugs or alcohol are found in the car, she will no longer have the privilege of driving one of your vehicles. Remember to keep the door open for your teen to call you if they need assistance.
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Step 7
Know where your teen is going and if plans change require your teen to notify you. Access to a car does not mean access to the world. This allows a parent to know where their teen is driving and gives a general idea of where he can be found. Knowledge is the key to keeping your teen safe while driving.
