The Problem
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers. Novice drivers are inexperienced and immature. In many cases crashes are not caused by lack of knowledge of basic traffic laws, or the lack of basic vehicle handling skills. The problem appears to be more of a function of the developmental characteristics of youth, taking unnecessary risks, lack of respect for mortality, and the influence of peer pressure and environment. Novice drivers have limited experience, questionable driver attitude, misrepresent risk acceptance, and display a lack of judgment in critical situations. The consequence is the increased probability of unsafe driving behaviors that can result in a traffic crash with injuries or death to the driver or the passenger of motor vehicles.
The Solution
Parental involvement is a must in developing safe low-risk drivers. Completing a driver education program does not guarantee a teen will be a good driver. Driver education forms a foundation for safe low-risk driving behavior, but becoming a safe low-risk driver is a life long endeavor.
Research by The Allstate Foundation shows that teens name parents as their number one influence when it comes to driving. Think about the following: Illinois law requires parents to complete at least 50 hours (10 hours at night) of supervised driving with their teen, while your teen's driver education instructor will supervise your teen for only a minimum of 6 hours. Teens have been passengers in their parents vehicles their entire lives. That's fifteen years of watching and learning as their parents drive. Once a teen completes all of the necessary requirements to receive a driver's license, parents must make the final decision as to whether or not the teen is ready to drive unsupervised.
The most critical time for parents to be involved with young drivers is during the first six months of unsupervised driving. It is critical that parents continue to provide guidance, oversight, and set limits.
Research by The Allstate Foundation shows that teens name parents as their number one influence when it comes to driving. Think about the following: Illinois law requires parents to complete at least 50 hours (10 hours at night) of supervised driving with their teen, while your teen's driver education instructor will supervise your teen for only a minimum of 6 hours. Teens have been passengers in their parents vehicles their entire lives. That's fifteen years of watching and learning as their parents drive. Once a teen completes all of the necessary requirements to receive a driver's license, parents must make the final decision as to whether or not the teen is ready to drive unsupervised.
The most critical time for parents to be involved with young drivers is during the first six months of unsupervised driving. It is critical that parents continue to provide guidance, oversight, and set limits.