Car Safety: 10 Teen Driving Tips

Handing over car keys to your teenager can be terrifying. Here are some tips that can help put your mind a little more at ease:

1. Stress the importance of buckling your seat belt - and having their passengers do the same.
2. Set ground rules about no texting while driving. It can wait.
3. For new drivers, limit the amount of passengers they are allowed to have. Less passengers = less distractions.
4. Talk to them about speeding. Make them aware of the consequences: cost of tickets, insurance rates, driving school, and deadly crashes.
5. Emphasize no drinking and driving. They're under the drinking age and shouldn't be drinking anyway, but it happens. While you don’t want to condone drinking, it’s best to keep communication open, so a teen can call for help if necessary.
6. Set curfews and be aware of where your kids are going at night.
7. Turn down the music. Teens love blasting their music, but make sure they know to never drive with headphones in and to make sure they are still able to hear ambulances, cop cars, and firetrucks.
8. Don’t drive when you don’t have to. If the weather is really bad or your teen is tired or upset, don’t let them drive.
9. Have them wear comfortable, functional clothing. High heels look great, but can take some getting used to while driving. Make sure they are smart and safe about it.
10. Make sure they have a safe, well-maintained car.