AAA Wants Parents, Teens to Dare to Prepare for Driver's Ed

If you look at statistics gathered by highway safety agencies, the National Safety Council and local law enforcement officials, you quickly draw one conclusion, teens form one of the most dangerous groups of drivers on the road.

The same message is echoed loud and clear by legislators, traffic-safety studies, as well as the American Automobile Assn. Finally, driving school instructors, the folks who interact most closely with teens, and insurance firms, the outfits who insure teens, usually at considerably higher rates than other drivers echo this concern.

In an effort to counteract and correct this very real concern, AAA Southern New England, advocates a program called "Dare to Prepare."

Outlined in its current "Southern New England Horizons," by Program Manager Diana Imondi Dias, this program works with teens, about to take their learners' permit tests, and their parents. It attempts to get beneath the surface of the dry accident statistics and fatality reports and put a face on current teen "social norms."

Dias key finding is that teens of today and those of just a few years ago have the same ideas and feelings.

"They dream of finding a car in the driveway with a big bow for their birthday," she noted. Indeed, many expect higher-end vehicles.

And, like their older brothers and sisters, they want to use a car to take them to social activities, school or work.

(This is very little different that the feelings teen drivers have had for more than half-a-century.)

Dias has also found that parents are concerned not only about the safety of their children and ask "about the best driver's education programs" available but also about the more mundane pocketbook concerns such as the effect of teen drivers on their insurance premiums and on their bank accounts.

Overall, Dias notes, that the "Dare to Prepare" program surprises parents in several ways -- most notably the way the world has changed for teen drivers.

For example, many parents are surprised about the changes that have taken place in just obtaining a teen license in the first place.

She is concerned about "the countless parents who view driving as a 'coming of age' milestone," Ms Dias notes.

"Nearly every day I hear some form of this phrase -- 'My son/daughter is 16, so I need to get him /her driving lessons.'"

Dias notes that "teens tell me about the calendar where they've been counting down (the days) to their 16th birthday; there's even a Facebook app that counts down the days until eligibility. But is 16 the best age to begin?" she questioned.

Each state is responsible for determining its own driving requirements, Dias notes, but "many parents don't question their own child's readiness (to drive) based on the more significant factor of maturity."

For example, parents should watch their children to see if they are mature enough to handle the responsibility of driving. "If a teen is performing poorly in school or is displaying irresponsible behavior that should indicate they may not be prepared to take on this new responsibility," she noted emphatically.

Continuing, she observed that "driving is possibly the most dangerous skill a person will learn. Until a new driver can reasonably master this skill, they should not have a license."

Studies show it takes five years for a new driver to become experienced enough to handle most complex situations and environments. A passing grade on a road test does not indicate a safe driver.

She noted seriously that "I'm concerned when I speak to the parent of a teen who has failed a road test -- who demands an immediate retest."

"These parents worry about having (to) 'make their teen wait another month' for their license rather than contemplate the potential disaster of having an unsafe driver behind the wheel," she concluded.

AAA has implemented illustrate just the seriousness of the licensing process. Under the program, the parent and teen draft a contract that spells out the rules under which the teen can operate the car.

Emphasizing responsibility, the contract also covers items such as car upkeep and other money issues. The contract also locks the teen into a personal commitment to good grades and spells out the number of passengers allowed in the vehicle.

The contract should cover all facets of driving and should be enforced," Ms. Dias notes.

The contract must also contain non-negotiable rules, such as complete loss of driving privileges if drinking is involved.

Ms. Dias advises parents to watch their children carefully to be sure of their habits, behaviors and challenges. "Most parents know their children well enough to give an honest assessment of their ability to take on this task (driving).

"Once the teen is ready for a permit," she continued, "don't rush the road test. The permit and test date can be extended until you are both confident and have completed more than enough practice time vehicle the wheel."

Ms. Dias emphasized flexibility. She noted the state rules shouldn't become the only rules of the house. Make sure that the contract is visible and firmly enforced. "...Above all," Ms. Dias concludes, "instill the fact that driving is a privilege, not a right (of passage)."