Parents of Teen Drivers: Teaching Responsible Driving

Cars and kids have been a potentially deadly duo for decades. More than 5,500 young people die every year in car crashes, and thousands more are injured, making motor vehicle crashes the leading cause of death for 16- to 20-year-olds.

Despite the fact that teenage drivers account for only six percent of the driving public, they are involved in a staggering 14 percent of all fatal car crashes. Two-thirds of the teenagers killed are male. Those numbers have also remained remarkably stable -- even allowing for population increases -- and are likely to remain so.

But that doesn't mean that there aren't steps that parents, schools, and government agencies can and should take to help keep teen drivers safe.

Parents can play an important role in reducing these numbers and keeping their teens alive.

The following are ways you can help keep teens safe on the road:

  • Be a role model. If you expect your teen to drive safely, you need to drive safely, too.
  • Always wear your seat belt.
  • Don't drink and drive. Never allow any alcohol or illegal drugs in the car.
  • Don't eat, drink, talk or text on your cell phone or do anything else that could distract you from your driving.
  • Stay within the speed limit and obey all traffic signals.
Join Dr. Corinn Cross as she shares more life-saving messages on teaching your teen to drive safely.
Parents of Teen Drivers: Teaching Responsible Driving
Featuring:
Corinn Cross, MD
dr cori crossDr. Corinn Cross was born and raised in New Jersey. She attended Barnard College where she graduated cum laude and majored in philosophy. She went on to attend the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark, NJ, where she was selected for the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Dr. Cross did her internship and residency in pediatrics at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Cross has continued to work at CHLA as a general pediatrics attending.

Dr. Cross is actively involved in her local AAP, Chapter 2, where she is an obesity champion. She is co-founder of the Fit to Play and Learn Obesity Prevention curriculum. Through a collaboration between AAP Chapter 2 and the L.A. Unified School District this curriculum is being used to educate at-risk students and their parents on the risks of obesity and to help them to lead healthier lives. Dr. Cross is an AAP Spokesperson and speaks to children throughout the L.A. school district about obesity, healthy lifestyles and the benefits of walking to school.

Dr. Cross is a member of the Executive Board for the AAP's Council on Communications and Media. She is the Editor of the Council on Communications and Media's blog.