One of the best ways to prevent teen involvement in crashes is for parents to play a key role in their teens driving. Research shows that new drivers who are supervised have very few crashes. Following are tips for parents:

• Don’t rely solely on driver’s education
  • Driver’s education is great, but it is a starting point
  • Review the MN laws and determine if that is enough for you and your teen – most parents find it isn’t
  • Continue supervisions even after the driver’s license has been issued
• Expose your young driver to all types of conditions
  • Practice in all weather conditions: snow, ice, rain
  • Drive on gravel roads, roads with no shoulders, through construction zones, in rush hour and traffic jams
  • Use all family vehicles so your teen is familiar with them
• Restrict night driving and number of passengers
  • Research is clear. Teen drivers are more likely to crash with teen passengers and the more teen passengers, the greater the risk.
  • Consider limiting the number (if any) passengers the first few months of having their license.
  • Siblings may pose an equal risk. Although it is nice to have another driver in the home for “taxi cab” duty, balance that benefit to the risk of crash.
  • Night driving restrictions should start with dawn to dusk and be adjusted as your teen gains experience.
  • Remember, supervised practicing in the dark is one of the only ways to gain this experience.
• Set a good example
  • Actions speak louder than words.
  • Your children have been learning how to behave in the car since they were toddlers. What have you been teaching them?
  • When parents are not buckled with a seat belt only 30% of children in the vehicle are buckled.
• Require seat belt use
  • Teens have the lowest seat belt use rate of any drivers on the road, yet they are the most likely to crash
  • Insist your teen wears a seat belt or they do not get behind the wheel
• Prohibit Impaired Driving
  • Alcohol-related crashes occur more frequently at night and on weekends – another reason to consider night driving restrictions.
  • Talk with your teen about never getting behind the wheel after drinking or taking anything that would impair them, including any form of cannabis (smokable bud, wax dabs, THC edibles), certain prescription and over the counter medications. If you feel different, you drive different!
• Choose vehicles for safety, not looks
  • Smaller vehicles are often less expensive and great on gas mileage, but not always the safest choice for a new driver.
  • Trucks are more likely to roll over.
  • Check with your insurance agent prior to purchasing a car. Some cars, although they do not look like a “sports car”, have very high insurance rates.
• Be patient, calm, and supportive

• This can be a stressful time for parents, but remember this is probably just as stressful on your teen (even if he/she is not showing it).