• 06
  • October
    2011

Teen drivers need to be taught better. Passing laws against texting while driving and other dangerous behaviors is important. But so is teaching teens right - right from the start.

This means that modeling safe driving has to start with parents. It must include basics like keeping your hand on the wheel and your eyes on the road, not on an electronic device. Being sober and alert, not tipsy or fatigued, is vital as well.

Learning the importance of these things can't wait until drivers' education. And it will help prevent car accidents in Wisconsin and across the country.

Once teens do start driver training, it's important for parents to sit down with them and establish the ground rules or guidelines for driving. These guidelines should start with wearing a seat belt. They should also include such things as limits on number of passengers, a curfew, and restrictions on the use of cell phones while driving.

Many of these guidelines are reflected in graduated driver's license (GDL) laws. There is no substitute, however, for parental involvement in getting teens to agree to abide by them.

It's true that many states could benefit from stronger GDL laws. And that is the intent of the proposed federal law known as the STANDUP Act. The Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act would set stricter standards for the states to follow.

As important as those standards are, however, teaching safe driving has to start with parental responsibility.

Source: "Teach teens to drive safety - and save their lives," JSOnline, 10-5-11