A new driver can send a parent’s stress-level soaring. So let's focus on ways to control a young driver's impact on your peace of mind.

Keeping your young driver safer

• Consider preparing your child with a course in defensive driving as a tool for avoiding accidents and increasing confidence.
• Require your young driver to understand, sign and comply with the Youthful Operator Driver Safety Agreement.
• Be a proper model by using seat belts and never using alcohol or drugs.
• Provide your child with a well-maintained vehicle, equipped with safety devices such as air bags and anti-lock brakes. Also, avoid vehicles that are vulnerable to serious damage during collisions or to "rolling over."
• Control your child's driving privileges...don't hesitate to curtail or revoke them in response to poor behavior.
• Set high driving standards and test your young driver.
• Be certain that he or she can properly pass vehicles, maintain a correct distance, park, merge and exit, change lanes make turns, obey speed limits and be aware of pedestrians.
• Make sure your child understands traffic laws and has a healthy respect for the power of the automobile.
• Don't let your child become licensed until he or she passes YOUR driving test which must include the ability to drive under adverse conditions (dark, fog, rain, ice, snow, rush-hour traffic, etc.).

Another good idea is to talk to an insurance expert about other strategies to keep your new driver safer.

Revised: 08/01