Getting a driver’s license may be an exciting rite of passage for teenagers, but it’s often a reason to worry for their parents. Unfortunately, parents of young adults can easily find statistics to back up worries about their kids getting in traffic accidents.
Teen drivers are 1.6 times more likely to be involved in vehicle accidents than adults, according to a new report from the Governors Highway Safety Association. The GHSA also reports that fatal accidents involving teen drivers increased 10 percent in 2015.
The statistics are troubling, but the report also includes some good news: despite the spike last year, teen-involved fatal crashes declined by more than 50 percent between 2005 and 2014.
It’s clear there’s still more that needs to be done to help keep teens stay safe on the road. Public policy changes are one thing, but many parents also want to be sure they do everything they can to help their children make it safely into adulthood.
‘Alive at 25’
To help parents make sure their young drivers make it safely through their first years on the road, the National Safety Council offers the “Alive at 25” program to young drivers – and their parents – across the country.
The four-hour class for young adults goes beyond typical driver education programs and focuses on how to drive more safely and responsibility, including driving defensively and minimizing cell phone use and other distractions. Parents can also take a two-hour online class to learn how to best support their children in becoming responsible, defensive drivers.
You can’t always ride shotgun with your children to help them make it home safely, but it can be comforting to remember that there are ways you can help your kids learn safe driving habits.