This page is all about
making sure your teen is a
safe driver and follows the
laws of driving. I have seen
parents allow their teen to
do as they please all of the
time. They were afraid of
making their teen mad with
them or hurting their
feelings. When it comes
time for that teen to drive
they get to do as they
please.
One day they have an accident
and someone will get hurt
or killed. Maybe there are
some questions every parent
of a teen who drives, or
is about to drive, should
have answers to.
* Do you allow your child
or teen to do as they please?
* Does your child or teen
get what they want when
they want it?
* Do you restrict where
your child goes or when
they come home?
* Will your teen know what
the laws and rules of
driving are?
* Do you know who rides
in the car with your teen?
* Do you think it's worth
it to make your teen mad or
hurt their feelings if what
you make them do saves their
life or the life of someone
else?
So what are your answers to
these questions? Well,
guess what? These are the
easy questions you should
already have the answers to.
Rules are a safety net for
your children. A parent can
be tough and tender at the
same time. If a parent starts
while a child is young, then
the child learns that the
parent loves them and is
willing to do what is
necessary to keep them
safe. Good parenting begins
when a child is born and
never ends, no matter what.
Here are a few good tips
that may help.
* Have dinner together as
a complete family at least
four days a week.
* Have family nights at
home at least three nights
a week.
* At least two nights a
week, during family night,
just sit and talk, and
especially listen, with
your child.
* At least one night a
week, during family night,
play games with your child
or teen. (Yes I said teen,
they will learn to love the
time you take with them)
All of the above leads to
good children, then good
teens, finally good and safe
teen drivers. Take the time
to care about your teen and
really search these websites
and resources below to find
what works best for your
family.
The keys to Safe
Driving
If you've been out on
the roads, you know that not
everyone drives well. Some
people speed aggressively.
Others wander into another
lane because they aren't
paying attention. Drivers
may follow too closely,
make sudden turns without
signaling, or weave in
and out of traffic.
Aggressive drivers are known
road hazards, causing one
third of all traffic crashes.
But inattentive driving is
becoming more of a problem as
people "multi-task" by talking
on the phone, eating, or even
watching TV as they drive. We
can't control the actions of
other drivers. But learning
defensive driving skills can
help us avoid the dangers
caused by other people's bad
driving.
Skills
That Put You in Control
Before you get behind the
wheel of all that glass and
steel, here are some tips to
help you stay in control:
Stay focused.
There are a lot of
things to think about when
driving: road conditions, your
speed, observing traffic laws
and signals, following
directions, being aware of
the cars around you, checking
your mirrors - the list goes
on. Staying focused on
driving - and only driving -
is key.
Distractions, like talking on
the phone or eating, make a
driver less able to see
potential problems. It's not
just teen drivers who are at
fault: People who have been
driving for a while can get
overconfident in their driving
knowledge and let their
driving skills get sloppy.
All drivers need to remind
themselves to stay focused.
Stay alert.
Being alert
(not sleepy or under the influence)
allows you to react quickly to
potential problems - like when
the driver in the car ahead
slams on the brakes at the
last minute. Obviously, alcohol
or drugs (including prescription
and over-the-counter drugs)
affect a driver's reaction time
and judgment. Driving while
tired has the same effect and
is one of the leading causes
of accidents. So rest up
before your road trip.
Watch out for
the other guy.
Part of staying in control is
being aware of the drivers
around you and what they may
suddenly do so you're less likely
to be caught off guard. For
example, if a car speeds past
you on the highway but there's
not much space between the
car and a slow-moving truck in
the same lane, it's a pretty
sure bet the driver will try
to pull into your lane
directly in front of you.
Anticipating what another
driver may do prepares you
to react.
Seven
Secrets of Super Driving
When you drive defensively,
you're taking control of the
situation and keeping your
eyes open for aggressive or
inattentive drivers who might
cause an accident. Here are
seven easy things you can do:
1.
Think
safety first.
Avoiding aggressive and
inattentive driving tendencies
yourself will put you in a
stronger position to deal with
other people's bad driving.
Leave plenty of space between
you and the car in front. Always
lock your doors and wear your
seatbelt to protect you from
being thrown from the car in
a crash.
2.
Be aware
of your surroundings.
Check your mirrors frequently
and scan conditions far ahead
of you. If a vehicle is showing
signs of aggressive driving,
slow down or pull over to avoid
it. If the driver is driving so
dangerously that you're worried,
try to get off the road or
highway by turning right or
taking the next exit if it's
safe to do so.
3.
Assume the
worst. Assume that
drivers will run through red
lights or stop signs and be
prepared to react. While
driving, imagine that other
drivers (especially truck drivers)
don't see you when you are making
your way into their path. Also,
keep an eye on pedestrians and
pets along the road.
4.
Stay cool,
calm, and collected.
It's best to avoid making eye
contact with aggressive drivers.
As hard as it can be, ignore any
aggressive facial or hand gestures.
And don't race aggressive drivers -
you run the risk of inciting their
road rage. Other drivers do stupid
things. The best drivers don't get
mad or try to get even.
5.
Get the
authorities involved.
If you see an aggressive driver
or trouble ahead, get to a safe
place to pull over and call
authorities or the police. Any
information you can provide - a
description of the vehicle, its
license plate number, the direction
it's going - will be helpful.
Some areas allow you to use your
cell phone to call the appropriate
authorities with special numbers
like #77. If an aggressive driver
crashes or causes an accident,
try to stop safely a good distance
from the scene. Wait for the police
to arrive so that you can tell
them about the aggressive behavior
you witnessed.
6.
Don't drive if
you are under the influence or
very sleepy. Alcohol,
illegal drugs, and some prescription
medications affect a person's
judgment, including the ability
to make important braking and
steering decisions on the road.
That means you'll be less able
to react quickly and drive
defensively. Sleepy drivers can
be just as bad as intoxicated
drivers, so make frequent rest
stops or let a friend drive if
you're tired.
7.
Don't take
risks. When in doubt,
don't pass. And keep a safe
following distance. That way
you can avoid a collision,
stay in your lane, and not
get rear-ended if the driver
in front of you slams on the
brakes.
If you're interested in taking
a full defensive driving course,
contact your state's Department
of Motor Vehicles. All states keep
a list of defensive driving courses
that are approved by the state -
even some that are online. They cost
money, but some insurance companies
give people who've taken the course
a discount in insurance rates.
Happy (defensive) driving!
The above article was borrowed from
http://www.kidshealth.org
Driving Contract (Agreement)
For the teen-ager:
I
(___________________________________),
do agree to the stipulations
stated below regarding the privilege
of driving a vehicle (whether it be
my own, a friend's, a relative's,
and/or my parents' vehicle(s)). If,
at any time, I violate any part of
said "Driving Contract," my
driving privileges will be
forfeited for a period of time
as determined by law enforcement
and/or by my parent(s)/
guardian(s) signing below.
I will take and pass an
appropriate driver-training
course.
Before leaving on any driving
trip, I will discuss with my
parent(s)/guardian(s) where
I'm going and when I'll be
back.
I understand that my driving
safely is not just protection
for me, but also for every
passenger in my car, and for everyone
else on the road, including small
children and babies on the sidewalks
and in other vehicles. I understand
that it's my
responsibility to protect everyone.
I understand that if I don't take
driving seriously, I run the risk
of seriously
injuring or killing an innocent
person or myself.
I will not speed -- particularly
in school zones and/or in bad
weather -- and I will obey all
traffic laws (including curfews
or other laws specific to my
city or state). I will drive
safely and defensively at all
times, and I will not be a
passenger in a vehicle that is
being driven unsafely or illegally.
I will call -- at any time of
the day or night -- a parent/
guardian/friend/relative/law
enforcement officer/taxi driver
for help in getting home
if -- for any reason -- I
am not able to drive both
safely and legally. The person
called will come and get me
immediately. If I call a taxi
and cannot pay for it, my
parent/guardian will pay for it.
Making this intelligent and
responsible phone call will
NOT result in the loss of
driving privileges or other
punishment.
I know that the parent(s)/
guardian(s) signing below
will always love me and
accept me -- even if I make
a mistake. I also
recognize that this love and
acceptance requires one or
both of them to suspend my
driving privileges if either
feels it is warranted.
I accept that the parent(s)/
guardian(s) signing below have
more experience than I do on
the road, and so I will listen
to
and carefully consider the
advice that I am given. If the
parent(s)/guardian(s) signing
below feel that more training
on my part is required, I will
immediately obtain more
training.
I agree to pay the full cost
of any traffic violation tickets,
as well as the difference in
the insurance premium for as
long as the premium is in
effect.
I agree to pay the full cost of
all damages incurred that are
not covered by insurance, as
well as the difference in
insurance premiums caused by
the damages.
I will never consume alcohol,
drugs or inhalants before
driving or while driving --
nor will there be open
containers of
alcoholic beverages (mine
or anyone else's), drugs or
drug paraphernalia at any
time in the vehicle.
I will not drive anyone else's
vehicle, nor allow anyone to
drive my vehicle, unless I
have prior permission from my
parents, or unless it's an
emergency involving illness
or injury. I will not loan my
vehicle to any other person,
unless I
have prior permission from my
parents.
I will never allow anyone who
has been consuming alcoholic
beverages, drugs or inhalants
to drive a vehicle in which
I'm a
passenger.
I will always drive with my
seat belt properly and securely
fastened. I will never
transport more passengers
than I have
seat belts. All seat belts
will be in working order.
All passengers will wear a
seat belt, and all seat
belts will be
fastened properly and securely
before the vehicle moves. If
anyone refuses to buckle up,
or unbuckles while I'm driving,
I
will stop the vehicle.
I will keep all vehicles I
drive clean, inside and out,
and in good working order.
I will not be a driver or
passenger in a
vehicle that isn't safely
maintained. I will wash and
wax the vehicle _________________
times per month, and I will not
bring my parent's vehicle(s)
home without at least a half
of a tank of gas.
I will not behave rudely in my
vehicle or with my vehicle --
to other passengers, other
drivers, law enforcement, or
the
parent(s)/guardian(s) signing
below.
I will keep my eyes on the road
at all times, and -- while
driving -- I will not use my
cell phone, change a CD, light
a
cigarette, read a map, put on
makeup, fish in my purse, glove
compartment or wallet (or engage
in any other behavior not
specified here that prevents me
from devoting my full attention
to the road).
I recognize that driving a
vehicle is a privilege, not a
right, and I also recognize
that each parent/guardian signing
below has individual veto power
over my driving privileges for
the duration of my life as a
minor.
For the parent
(s)/guardian(s):
I/We (______________________________________),
do grant (__________________________)
access to a vehicle as long as he/she
obeys all stipulations noted above.
I/We agree to
pick up (________________________________)
at any time, from any place, if
he/she is ever in a situation where
he/she or another driver has
consumed alcohol, inhalants,
drugs or other illegal or
inappropriate substance.
In order to set a good example,
I/We agree to also obey all
stipulations as noted above.
(You might wish to add a
consequence for the parents
as well if rules are broken).
I/We have read the above
agreement and agree to the
stipulations.
Signed on this Date:
______________________________
_________________________________
Teen-ager
_________________________________
Parent and/or Guardian
_________________________________
Parent and/or Guardian
Websites on teens safe
driving.
Online Traffic School
TicketRelief.com is your best choice for Online Traffic School in California, Florida and Texas. TicketRelief.com was established in 2004 in heart of San Diego, Ca, and has grown to become one of the Nation's leading traffic schools and defensive driving course on the Internet.
http://www.ticketrelief.com/
Teen
Driving Information — Vehicle
Resources
New drivers learn a lot by
example, so practice safe
driving. Teens who have
crashes and violations often
have parents with poor driving
records. ...
http://
www.progressive.com/rc/
DrivingSafety/TeenDriving.
aspx
Parents & Teen Driving Agreement
parents and teen driving ...
A truly safe driver has had
1000 miles of driving experience
in all conditions
... Selected Resources for
Additional Information on Teen
Driver Safety - top ...
http://www.montgomerycountymd.
gov/mcgtmpl.asp?url=/Content/
PIO/teenDriving/resource.asp
Teen driving: Teen drinking
driving, accident safety at
CARFAX
Sign up for weekly safe
driving tips and information
to help your teen be a
better, safer driver. It's
FREE from CARFAX. View a
sample tip now. ...
http://
www.carfax.com/teen_driving/
teen_safety_home.cfm
How's Your Teen's Driving?
Would You Like to Know? -
TELL-MY-MOM.COM
Utilizing this information,
concerned parents can work
with their teen to correct
poor driving skills and
reinforce safe driving behavior.
...
http://
www.tell-my-mom.com/
Parent & Family Resources
Drive Home Safe, Written for
parents and future teen
drivers, this site provides
... education, and statistics
on everything about safe teen
driving. ...
http://www.
washington.edu/admin/hr/benefits
/worklife/teens/teenstable.html
Teendriving.
com
TeenDirivng.com promotes safe
driving for teens and new
drivers and features
hundreds of driving tips ...
Webfoot driving information
· The Drivers' Village ...
http://www.teendriving.com/
links.htm
Driving - Driving
Information for Teens - Teens
and Driving ...
Drunk Driving Resources
Resources and information
sites about the devastating
... Everything a new driver
needs to know, from safe
driving techniques to ...
http://www.teenadvice.
about.com/cs/driving/
Drive for
Life... The National Safe
Driving Test & Initiative
National Safe Driving Test
and Initiative. Mason-Dixon
national poll on risky
... premium discounts when
teens complete driver-safety
courses that include ...
http://www.
safedrivingtest.com/teendrivers.
html
New Teen
Drivers
TeenDirivng.com promotes safe
driving for teens and new
drivers and is the ...
finding an online driving
course, buying a teen tracking
system, buying, ...
http://www.teendriving.com/
Helping Your
Teen Become a Safe Driver - AACAP
Facts For Families # 76
... the car until the teen has
logged a defined period of safe
independent driving
... Teens should be encouraged
to take an annual defensive
driving course ...
http://www.aacap.
org/publications/factsfam/76.htm
HELPING YOUR
TEEN BECOME A SAFE DRIVER -
Daycare.com
HELPING YOUR TEEN BECOME A SAFE
DRIVER. A driver's license is
one of the biggest
... Teens should be encouraged
to take an annual defensive
driving course ...
http://www.
daycare.com/fastfacts/driving.
html
Taggart's Driving
School: Teen-Adult-DUI-Defensive
Driving Traffic ...
DUI Traffic School Class, Defensive
Driving Traffic School Class,
Insurance
Discount Class, Traffic Driving
School Class Teen Driver Ed,
Adult In-Car Lesson ...
http://www.
taggartsdrivingschool.com/
Teen Driving
Information. Parents and Teen
Drivers
For parents and teen drivers.
Education, statistics and
instruction on safe driving.
Also driver license resources.
http://www.drivehomesafe.com/
Automotive Driving Schools in the
Yahoo! Directory
Take your driver's education
online or order a home course.
... Provider of safe
driving instruction, fleet
monitoring, videos and training
aids, ...
http://www.dir.
yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/
Shopping_and_Services/Automotive/
Driving_Schools/
Driver Training
Searching for driver training?
Visit our driver training guide.
http://
www.DriverTrainingDirectory.com
Online Teen
Driving Courses, Teen Driver
Training, Teen Defensive ...
Online Teen Driving Courses,
Teen Driver Training, Teen
Defensive Driving Courses,
Teen Driver Training, Insurance
Discount Point Reduction
Courses, ...
http://www.usadrivesafe.
com/trafficschool.asp
Guide to
safe driving | Gannett News Service
Schools can put students on road
to safe driving ... Good driving
schools give
a teen more than the minimum
instruction state law may require.
...
http://www.gns.
gannettonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/
article?AID=/20060321/
LIFEMOMENTS02/603210309
Defensive Driving Schools by Kent
Pinkerton Troubled Teens ...
Defensive Driving Schools exist
to build good, watchful, and
safe drivers.
Despite our basic driving skills,
... Submitted by: Kent Pinkerton
Troubled Teens ...
http://www.searchwarp.com/swa37931.htm
Defensive Driving
Online, Ticket Dismissal, Florida
DMV Practice Tests
Florida online traffic school and
defensive driving courses approved
by ...
Traffic School; No Points Course;
Defensive Driving; Volunteer -
Safe Driving ...
http://www.
lowestpricetrafficschool.com/
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