June is Safe Driving Month

June is Safe Driving Month at Teen Health Connection. Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens. In 2020, almost eight teens died every day due to car crashes, and hundreds more were injured. For this month’s e-newsletter feature, Teen Health Connection’s parenting expert Kris Hawkins shares ways for parents to talk with their teens about how make smart choices on the road to stay safe.

What are the biggest concerns parents may have when their teens begin driving? 

Here are some of the biggest concerns parents have for their teenage drivers:

• Distracted driving
• Driving too fast
• Driving under the influence
• Not wearing their seat belts
• Not taking the risks associated with driving seriously.

Relinquishing control and allowing their teen to take the wheel can be challenging for some parents. What recommendations do you have for parents struggling with this?

It’s completely normal for parents to feel apprehensive when their teenager starts to drive.  That’s why it’s important to start discussing safe driving rules and responsibilities with your tween and continue the conversation throughout their teenage years. Another thing parents can do to face the fears they have regarding their teen driver is to create a parent-teen driving agreement; clearly stating agreed-upon expectations, rules, and responsibilities. This agreement can be updated as your teen gains experience and more freedom.

Talk us through the process of creating a parent-teen driving contract. What should be included? What are the “non-negotiables” that parents may have? How should a parent approach this conversation?

You don’t have to recreate the wheel. Both the CDC and AAA have very thorough, downloadable parent-teen driving agreements. Don’t hesitate to be specific and very thorough with regards to the non-negotiable rules you include.  Address rules of the road, laws around drinking and driving, and distracted driving. And your teen should be expecting this conversation. Ideally, you have been talking about this topic for years before they actually start driving. The parent-teen agreement should be expected and respected.

What does Teen Health Connection offer in terms of strengthening the relationship between parents and their teens?

Teen Health Connection offers parenting resources specifically designed to strengthen parental efficacy and build healthy connections between parents and their teens. We offer virtual parent trainings and opportunities to participate in in-depth discussions on the hottest topics affecting teens today. Our goal is to give parents confidence and courage to meet the challenges – and savor the joys – that accompany the teenage years. We are continuously updating our resources and expanding our programming to meet the needs and interests of all parents as well as accommodate all schedules.

What resources (local or virtually) do you recommend for parents whose teens are about to begin or have just begun driving?

North Carolina Department of Transportation offers The Supervised Driving Program; a downloadable, 44-page curriculum that addresses all facets of driving. If you’re looking for more hands-on, defensive driving practice: BRAKES.  “The B.R.A.K.E.S. Teen Pro-Active Driver Training is a free, advanced driving school, for teenagers 15-19 (16-20 in N.C.), who have a learner’s permit or driver’s license with at least 30 hours of driving experience. B.R.A.K.E.S. teaches teens defensive driving techniques on a closed course in a controlled environment.”

For more information:

B.R.A.K.E.S.
7148 Weddington RD NW
Suite 150
Concord, NC 28027
Phone 704-720-3806

https://putonthebrakes.org/about

Kris Hawkins, Parenting Education Facilitator