The state is celebrating National Teen Driver Safety Week from Sunday to Saturday with a view of bringing attention to the laws that govern new drivers. Also, the impact parents have by setting down limits on their teens for modeling responsible driving behavior will be taken into consideration. Recent studies have shown that parents are the number one influence on their teens' driving.
The leading cause of death among the teens aged between 16-19 in Washington is motor vehicle accidents. It has caused the death of 27 teen drivers in the year 2010. 84 teens died in motor crashes through 2008-2009. Parents should keep in mind the following steps to help teens become safe drivers:
- Try to enforce intermediate driver licensing law. The teens should not be allowed to carry passengers younger than 20 during the first six months. During the next six months they should be allowed to carry no more than 3 passengers that are younger than 20.
- Teens should not be allowed to drive between 1 am to 5 am.
- Teens with intermediate driver licenses or learner permits should not be allowed to use a wireless device while driving. A full license will be permitted only at 18.
- Parents should set a good driving example.
- Kids tend to observe and learn driving habits from their parents. Therefore, parents should model the kind of behavior they would like their teens to practice while they are driving with them.
- Parents could even consider establishing a parent teen contract in the household to clearly describe the driving expectations.
- Increase the privileges gradually based after your teens receive their licenses.
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