10 Tips for Parents of Teenage Drivers

It might be their brains. Research shows that the area of the brain that involves impulse control, judgment, and decision-making doesn't fully develop until a human is into his 20s. This doesn't absolve them of responsibility. Instead it means that unless the teen wants to be a safe driver, the teen won't be safe driver. The worst either don't know or, more likely, don't care that they're driving dangerously. Many embrace risky driving. (I did.)


So, what's a parent to do? Here's my advice as one who has experienced seven months of having one and then two teens driving independently and who has 36 months left to serve.

Delay
Wait as long as you can stand to allow your teen to get a full license and drive independently. The accident rate for 16-year-olds is considerably higher than that even for 17-year-olds. That's why some countries have moved the driving age up to 18.

Choose The Right College
Pick a college that prohibits freshmen from having a car on campus. This eliminates the risk for nine months during a potentially dangerous time.

No Passengers, No Riding
Don't allow your teen to carry teenage passengers, and prohibit them from riding with teen drivers. According to one study, the risk of a teen driver being involved in an accident increases about 40 percent with one teen riding, doubles with two teen passengers and quadruples with three or more teen riders aboard.