Effective Parenting for Teens

Remind your teen you control the keys and access to the keys is totally connected to her following the rules.

Set these permanent life-saving driving safety rules:

• The driver and all passengers must be restrained on every trip.
• Adults and teens must use seat belts; children, in child safety seats or booster seats in the rear.
• No use of cell phones or other electronic devices while driving.
• Follow all driving laws, including no speeding.
• No impaired driving (drugged, drowsy, or drunk) or riding as a passenger with an impaired driver. Provide alternative ways to get home.
• No riding as a passenger with an unlicensed or inexperienced teen driver.
• Provide alternative ways to get home.

Set these temporary life-saving limits while your teen gains experience:

• No peer passengers
  • Start: Only adult passengers
  • Gradual increase after first six months: siblings only if they are appropriately restrained and sit in the rear
• No nighttime driving
  • Start: Only in daylight
  • Gradually increase the driving curfew after you have practiced with your teen, obeying your state’s maximum limit. Offer to provide rides.
• No high-speed roads
  • Start: Only on low volume, low speed, familiar roads
  • Gradually increase the allowed road types after you have practiced with your teen
• No driving in bad weather
  • Start: Only in ideal driving conditions
  • Gradually increase driving in poor weather conditions after you have practiced with your teen
• Restricted access to keys
  • Start: Teen needs to ask for the keys (even for his own vehicle)
  • Gradually increase independent access to keys after first six months as the teen demonstrates responsibility