Recommended Development Stages: Teen Drivers
The Youth Safety Council is committed to reducing teen car crashes. We believe that all teens need to fully understand their responsibilities while operating a motor vehicle on our highways and to understand the consequences of poor choices and irresponsible actions. We feel the following steps are important in the progression of a new teen driver:
- Participation in a driver education program.
- Positive parental involvement including parent - teen written contracts.
- A minimum of 100 hours of driving experience with a parent or guardian prior to licensing.
- Participation in an advanced driver training program.
- Driving newer vehicles equipped with ABS brakes and other safety features.
- Always buckle-up to stay in control and to prevent injuries.
- No cell phones and avoidance of other common distractions.
- A safety conscious driving attitude and responsible behavior.
- Six months driving experience with no other passengers except parents or other licensed adults.
- Limited nighttime driving in the first six months following licensing.
- Using common sense and appropriate discretion when poor winter driving conditions exist.
Youth Safety Council Concerns
- Driving
- Drinking
- Drugs
- Pregnancy & STI’s (sexually transmitted infections)
- Depression
- Lack of Self Esteem
- Water Safety
- Snowmobile and ATV’s
- Stress
- Lack of Direction
- Lack of Appropriate Role Models
- Peer Pressure
- Nutrition & Eating Disorders
- Parental Guidance and Direction
- Lack of Sleep
- Cultural Pressure to Grow-up – Accelerated Adulthood
- Suicide
- Tobacco
- Bullying & Harassment
- Dating Violence
- Sexual Identity
- Positive Youth Development (Asset Development, Protective Factors)
- Media Literacy (movies, TV, computers, print)
- Preventable injuries
