Tips + Risks for Parents and Teens

Parent Tips

  • Extensive, supervised practice helps your teen learn good driving skills. A student who is under 18 must have a licensed supervising driver who is at least 21 years of age.

  • When you drive, set a good example for your teen- actions speak louder than words.

  • Take time and practice with your child not only while they have their permit, but also during their first year of licensed driving.

  • Put a limit on the number of passengers allowed in the car to minimize distractions.

  • Expose your teen to many different driving conditions including wet roads, snow, interstate highways, rural and metro roadways, night driving, etc.

  • Require everyone in the vehicle to buckle-up.

  • Prohibit your teen from driving from driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

  • Give positive feedback frequently.

  • Patience is essential. Remain calm and relaxed during teaching sessions.

Parent’s Role in Developing Teen Drivers.

-Be a positive role model: buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention, and don't drive aggressively.

-Monitor and train teen drivers ~ even after licensure. Teens need supervised exposure in a variety of driving conditions and environments.

-Be a positive role model: buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention, and don't drive aggressively.

New drivers who have strong parental monitoring have fewer crashes.

— Safe Communities of Wright County

Teen Risks

  • 1. INATTENTIVENESS -- Driver inattention or distraction is the most common contributing factor in multiple vehicle crashes for all age groups.

  • 2. EXCESSIVE SPEED -- Illegal / unsafe speed is the most common contributing factor in single vehicle crashes for drivers between 15 and 64 years of age.

  • 3. FAILURE TO WEAR SEAT BELT / SAFETY BELT -- Safety belts reduce your chances of death or serious injury by almost 50%, yet 20% of Minnesotans still choose not to buckle-up.

  • 4. ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG USE

  • 5. MULTIPLE PASSENGERS -- With the addition of each passenger, the likelihood of a crash increases. For teen drivers, one teen passenger increases crash risk by 39%, two passengers increase risk by 86% and three passengers by nearly 200%.

  • 6. FATIGUE AND EMOTIONAL STATE -- A person who has been awake for 24 hours causes impairment nearly equal to a blood alcohol concentration of .10, which is above the legal limit.

  • 7. NOT CHECKING TRAFFIC BEFORE PULLING OUT -- According to data, most crashes involving teens occur at intersections with traffic signals or two-way stop signs.

  • 8. BAD WEATHER (e.g. SNOW, ICE, RAIN) -- Ice and snow-packed roads increase stopping distance ; snow / blowing snow decreases visibility as do rain and fog.

  • 9. NIGHT DRIVING -- Potential hazards are less visible at night. If you drive too fast, you can over-drive your headlights and not have enough time to stop when you realize there is a problem.

  • 10. INADEQUATE DEFENSIVE DRIVING TECHNIQUE -- For your safety, you have to anticipate what the other driver is going to do and be ready to take evasive action to protect yourself and others.

One out of four teens will crash within the first 12 months of receiving their driver's license.

— Safe Communities of Wright County

Teen Tips

  • Practice, practice, practice- you will continue to increase your driving skills and abilities as you gain more and more experience behind the wheel.

  • Be a defensive driver, be alert and have a good attitude.

  • Focus on your driving and avoid distractions such as loud music, cell phones and eating.

  • Limit the number of passengers riding in your car.

  • Be courteous rather than competitive to your fellow drivers.

  • Follow the traffic safety rules and drive at safe, legal speeds.

16 year-olds have three times the crash rate as that of 17 and 18 year-olds.

— Safe Communities of Wright County