Parents: Set rules
Parents who set rules for their teen drivers reduce accidents. Here are some suggestions from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners:
- Draw up a Teen Driving Contract that clearly defines the rules and consequences associated with driving privileges.
- Set a driving curfew. More than 40 percent of teen auto deaths occur between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- Limit the number of passengers in your teen’s car. For teenagers, the relative risk of a fatal crash increases as the number of passengers increases.
- Make all cellphone use off-limits while driving. Texting or talking on a cellphone can double the likelihood of an accident.
- Encourage your teen to exercise his or her rights as a passenger. Only 44 percent of teens say they would speak up if someone were driving in a way that scared them.