RISKY DRIVING

Teenagers are more likely than other age groups to be involved in motor vehicle crashes as both drivers and passengers. Motor vehicle injuries are by far the leading public health problem for young people 13-19 years old. Nationally, 1 out of 4 boys will be involved in an alcohol related traffic crash before the age of 18.

The first year of licensed driving is the riskiest of all for crashes. High school driver education programs can successfully teach driving skills, but attitudes strongly influence how driving skills and knowledge are put to use. When a driver has certain personality traits coupled with some problem behaviors, the result is an increased crash risk.

What To Look For:

• Rebelliousness
• Speeding
• Smoking
• Risk-taking
• Drinking and Driving
• Trouble with the Law
• Independence
• Marijuana Use
• Defiance of Authority
• Heavy drinking

What To Do:

• Establish a period of supervised driving before they can take the car out alone.
• Restrict initial driving to daytime hours.
• Limit "recreational" driving.
• Set night driving curfews - prohibit late night driving that's unsupervised.
• Insist upon use of seat belts by all occupants all the time.
• Restrict the number of passengers.
• Enforce a no-drinking-and-driving rule.
• Choose safe cars. Large ones are safer than small ones, and air bags enhance safety.
• Avoid performance cars - the combination of high performance and a young driver is deadly.
• Prohibit motorcycle riding. If your teen does drives a motorcycle, insist on helmet use.
• Be a positive role model and set the right example!

It is against the law for persons under the age of 21 to purchase, possess, or consume alcohol. It is against the law for anyone under 21 who has an alcohol concentration of 0.02 per cent or more to drive. The fine can be up to $500 and include the loss of driving privileges.

—From the Editors at DriverEducation.com