It's 10 p.m., where are your children?
It's no secret that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. Reports from AAA and other safety groups like the American International Automobile Dealer's Association (AIDA) support that claim with ease.
But if I were a teen, those reports would be among the last documents I would read. Even if teens did read the reports, I doubt it would affect them at all. Why? Mainly because a teen's mind is not fully-developed until about age 25. So, couple irrational thinking with a deadly weapon like a motor vehicle, and you've got a recipe for disaster.
Thankfully, reports like those above, have a more important audience--the parents of teens. Sure, practice time behind the wheel is great, but hardcore parental supervision is even better. When it comes to driving and teens, parents should think of themselves as the "Par-e-nator."
If you are a parent and you don't know how to be a "Par-e-nator," try checking out the resources from your local state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Proponets of graduated licensing in the past (and still today), DMVs are now turning their attention to influencing the behavior of the parents of teen drivers.
To this end, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission recently produced A Parent's Guide to Teaching Teens. Publications like this can help parents put their teens on the road to lifelong safe driving behaviors.
How did you help your teen prepare for life behind the wheel?
Until next time, stay safe behind the wheel.
Jason D. King
Vice President, Public Relations & Information Services
AAMVA
703.908.8287
But if I were a teen, those reports would be among the last documents I would read. Even if teens did read the reports, I doubt it would affect them at all. Why? Mainly because a teen's mind is not fully-developed until about age 25. So, couple irrational thinking with a deadly weapon like a motor vehicle, and you've got a recipe for disaster.
Thankfully, reports like those above, have a more important audience--the parents of teens. Sure, practice time behind the wheel is great, but hardcore parental supervision is even better. When it comes to driving and teens, parents should think of themselves as the "Par-e-nator."
If you are a parent and you don't know how to be a "Par-e-nator," try checking out the resources from your local state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Proponets of graduated licensing in the past (and still today), DMVs are now turning their attention to influencing the behavior of the parents of teen drivers.
To this end, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission recently produced A Parent's Guide to Teaching Teens. Publications like this can help parents put their teens on the road to lifelong safe driving behaviors.
How did you help your teen prepare for life behind the wheel?
Until next time, stay safe behind the wheel.
Jason D. King
Vice President, Public Relations & Information Services
AAMVA
703.908.8287
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