Media Expert– Tips for Parents on Teen Driving

Newswise — Prom time means lots of teenagers driving late and with other teens in the car – a combination that dramatically raises the risk of teen driver traffic accidents. Professor and teen driving expert Kenneth Beck, University of Maryland, College Park, School of Public Health, can offer advice for parents of teen drivers, especially the newest drivers. He can also discuss the topic and take calls on radio or TV broadcast.

Background: Beck, who has been researching teen driving for 17 years, and colleague Min Qi Wang, also in the School of Public Health, developed a Website specifically for parents of teen drivers for the Maryland Highway Safety Office. The site, www.parentsofyoungdrivers.com/, not only has information about Maryland teen licensing, but also has updated statistics and tips that can be useful to parents in any state on setting rules and restrictions, monitoring, and making sure teens understand the rules.

“Drivers at age 16 have the highest rate of fatal accidents per vehicle miles travelled,” says Beck.

One of Beck’s recent studies found that when the level of agreement and understanding about driving rules between parents and teens was close, the teens were less likely to engage in risky behavior. “Newly licensed drivers make mistakes,” Beck says. “They need more experience, but to do that they have to be exposed to the road. Parents can help their teens by setting rules and restrictions, monitoring and progressively relaxing restrictions as kids progress. Parents should be the gatekeepers.”

On the Website, Beck offers these tips:
- Set up and write out specific driving rules and consequences. See guidelines here: http://www.mva.state.md.us/Resources/RD-016.pdf .
- Setting restrictions for high-risk situations, such as driving with teen passengers and driving at night, is especially important.
- Tell your teen driver how you feel about drinking and driving.
- Prohibit teen passengers for the first 6 months of driving. Continue to limit the number of passengers until your teen receives a full driver's license.
Teen Driving Facts
- From 1996-2000, more than one out of every 10 licensed Maryland teen drivers was involved in a motor vehicle crash.
- In 2001, 39% of young drivers involved in crashes were driving between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- For teen drivers, the presence of one teen passenger nearly doubles the risk of a fatal crash. Having two or more teen passengers carries five times the risk of a fatal crash as compared to driving alone.
- A 2001 survey showed that 30 percent of Maryland 12th graders had driven a car after drinking.