Teenagers and Driving

One of the major rites of passage during adolescence is getting your driver's license. As parents, we approach our teens driving with mixed emotions. Most of us are glad that our teen is becoming independent and has accomplished the tasks necessary to get a driver's license. Most of us also worry about the many things that can happen during driving: accidents, kidnapping, drinking/driving, etc.How do we handle our concerns? Start discussing with your teen the ways to deal with different situations that may occur. Discuss the types of behaviors that can increase the risk of car accidents, such as texting or talking on the cell phone while driving. Help them understand the risks of injury as well as the risks of harming someone else. And be sure to talk about the risk of drinking and driving. But as parents, try to remember how you felt when you first started driving. One of my friends tells a story about how he had a car accident four days after getting his license. Realize that your teen may have an accident, and try to equip him with the best ways to drive safely to decrease his risk. This is a topic you will need to revisit with your teen on a regular basis. Dr. Debra