Parents have a role to play in helping their teens drive more safelyThe first—and perhaps most important—answer is: you can. Parents can do a lot to help their teens become safe drivers. You can, for example:

  • Model safe driving behavior.
  • Enroll your child in driver’s education.
  • Make rules for your child—and consequences for breaking those rules.

It can be difficult to parent a teen who is on the cusp of adulthood; however, you are still the parent, you are still your child’s primary teacher, and you are still your child’s most important role model.

But Others May Help You With This Important Task

A new study by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) found that teen drivers may benefit when more adults are involved in helping teens make smart and safe driving decisions. Specifically, according to the study, some of the other adults who may help your teen stay safe include:

  • Teachers.
  • Employers.
  • Coaches.
  • Activity directors.
  • Professional drivers.
  • Doctors.

Each of these adults has a unique perspective on driving or injuries that can significantly influence a teen and that will, hopefully, prevent a teen from making a dangerous and potentially deadly mistake behind the wheel.

Additionally, it is important not to underestimate the role of some other important adults in your teenager’s life such as the parents of his friends, his grandparents, his older siblings, and other relatives.

It is up to us, as a community, to help keep our teen drivers safe. Please share this article on Facebook or Twitter. Your friends and followers likely have teens they know whom they can help keep safe if they are encouraged to do so.

Jason F. Abraham
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Helping car accident and personal injury victims throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa since 1993.