Agree on the Rules
Make a contract with your aspiring driver for their first year.
Agree on the rules and responsibilities for gas, insurance, using
seatbelts, driving curfew, transporting friends,
a ticket or accident, and never drinking and driving.
Be a Long-Term, Committed Coach
Schedule time to drive with your student for 100 hours or more
during and after the learner’s permit stage. Gradually add
on freeway, traffic, nighttime and bad weather situations. Let
them drive you everywhere -–the store, school, and longer
trips.
Know Washington’s
Graduated License Law
Even before your child drives, be aware of Washington’s
graduated license regulations: http://www.dol.wa.gov/ds/teen.htm
The law limits carrying other teen passengers and sets a curfew
the for first 6 months. Be part of a network of parents who support
the law.
Be Even Stricter Than the Law
Statistics show the risk of a crash increases with each additional
teen passenger. Let your teen drive a year before carrying a car
full of friends. See a great sample agreement at: http://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/oam/cmb/checkpoints/pt-agreement.pdf
Stick to Daytime Driving
The risk of a fatal crash is three times higher at night than
the day. Don’t be casual about nighttime outings that put
new drivers behind the wheel.
Eliminate Distractions
Distractions cause crashes. Agree that no one in your family uses
a cell phone while driving. Agree to wait for a stoplight to change
CD’s or better yet—eliminate the CD player during
those critical first months.
Choose a Car that’s Safe and
Solid
Check crash ratings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
at http://www.safercar.gov.
In general, well-rated medium to large cars do better than subcompacts
and are less likely to roll than small pickups and SUVs.
Lead by Example
Demonstrate being a cautious and courteous driver yourself. Comment
on hazardous conditions or when you see another driver put others
in danger. Practice handling emergencies like a flat tire or car
trouble.
