Help Teens Understand Their Parents

It's important for teens to understand that it's their parents' job to work with them to create sensible rules and boundaries to keep them safe while learning to drive. It's also important for parents to expect their teens to resist these rules at first. Rules can feel restricting when most teens are seeking to gain their independence from their parents as soon as possible. Tell teens our research shows that involved parents that set rules and monitor driving behavior in a supportive way can lower their crash risk.

Also stress to teens that they are not only susceptible to obvious dangers such as speeding or cell phone use, but also to peer pressure that may influence them to make risky decisions. Teens should partner with their parents to manage those peer pressure moments.