Posted 10/19/2009 7:57 AM EDT on pnj.com Prod
Drivers rejoice!It's National Teen Driver Safety Week. That means teenagers everywhere will have their eyes on the road and their hands upon the wheel. . .cell phones will be stored, radios turned down, passengers kept to a minimum of a single, silent individual. . .
Yeah, right.
With car accidents the leading cause of death among people ages 15-20, parents should think twice before just handing the keys over. Talk with your teens and explain to them that driving is a privelege, not a right. Limit the number of passengers that new drivers can take with them. Insist that they stay off of their cell phones while driving. Remind them that distracted driving practices like eating, applying makeup and texting can have deadly consequences.
And set a good example with your own habits.
With a little luck, and a lot of patience, we may make it through the teen years relatively unscathed. The Mombus, on the other hand, well. . .we just like to say that those "learning to drive" dings give her "Character."
For suggestions on ways you can help keep your teen driver safe, including suggestions for setting rules, check out http://www.ridelikeafriend.com/
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1 comment:
Since teaching my first teenager to drive cost my nervous system 10 years off my lifespan, I've let my husband go to town teaching the rest (4) of them. Thinking about your teen driving, more less driving with them, is not for the faint of heart - and that was BEFORE texting and cell phones! Happy Sits Saturday. Check out some other teen shenanigans at my blog http://lorimcktia.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html Blessings and Happy 2010
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