Aside from the added costs associated with having a young driver—rising insurance rates, extra gasoline, possibly an actual car—there is also increased anxiety as parents are eventually left behind to wonder what kind of driver their teen is without them in the passenger seat. Is she distracted by the phone or the radio? Is he going too fast?
Teen drivers today face more and different challenges than their parents did when they learning to navigate the very grown-up world of driving a car. With increased temptations by technology, both handheld and in the car, frequency of road rage and more congested streets and intersections, it’s more important than ever for kids to be prepared when they hit the streets alone.
Driver education
But how can you ensure your kids are road ready before you turn them loose? The driver education they receive is key.
Most states allow parents to choose between parent-taught driver’s education or independent driving schools. Both types must adhere to state-mandated regulations that usually involve a required amount of study before taking a state permitting test, additional safety education and a required number of behind-the-wheel hours under the supervision of a licensed adult, with some state requiring way more drive time than others.
But the way the material is taught and the amount of additional practice time above and beyond the minimum requirements can vary greatly, and this is perhaps what makes the difference in a confident young driver and one who is a potential danger to themselves and others.
That’s because what was once learned in a full semester in public school is now taught by what is, essentially, a loosely-regulated small business whose job is to teach kids enough to pass an often-easy government road test demonstrating mastery of basic driving skills. Did she use her blinker before turning into the parking lot? Did he make a complete stop before pulling into traffic? And the most stressful part for many teens: the dreaded parallel parking. People rarely die or kill others parallel parking, but it’s the one thing you absolutely must do correctly to pass the road test in several states.
Us or them?
Whether you choose a parent-taught program for your child’s driver’s education or a driving school, the parent must take a proactive role in preparing and educating their new driver.
Even though they are online, parent-taught home programs are called “parent taught” (vs. computer taught) for a reason. The intention is not to turn teens loose with a computer and allow them to quickly skim timed lessons counting down the seconds until they can move on to the next section. Make sure they understand what they’re reading, and point out real life examples of topics discussed when you’re driving and why they’re important.
If you choose a driving school, put it to the test in the same way you would a sports gym or music teacher you’re thinking about entrusting your child’s training to. Check for an approved curriculum and make sure limited drive time with the instructor takes place in a variety of weather and road conditions, and is not restricted to the route the student will test on. The goal is not just to pass the test; it is to create a safe driver.
Practice, practice, practice
According to the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration, teens don’t get into crashes because they aren’t aware of basic traffic laws or safe driving practices, which is why driver’s education schools are not pressured to make many changes in their curriculum. Studies show crashes result from inexperience and risk-taking, something a young driver is more likely to engage in with peers than with parents.
So forget minimum drive-time requirements. Practice, practice, practice. Supervised time behind the wheel is the most effective way of helping young drivers learn to make real-time decisions in different traffic situations and road conditions. They cannot drive too much with you before they hit the road alone.
Remember that while learning to drive, passenger time is valuable time as well. Teens follow adults’ examples concerning seatbelt use, texting/cell phone use, road rage and obeying traffic laws, so the years leading up to a teen learning to drive are an excellent time for parents to review their own driving habits. Whether behind the wheel or riding shotgun, the time teens spend in the car with a parent creates the most valuable teaching moments for ensuring safe young drivers.
By // Stacy Barry
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