Let’s face it, your child learning to drive can be very stressful for you as a parent. You want them to gain independence while still keeping them safe.
The most important investment you can make in terms of the safety of your driving teen is giving them a structured experience behind the wheel. The biggest single risk factor for teens is their lack of driving experience. Introduce them to safe but stressful situations while you’re in the car, like interstate driving and country roads. Be clear about driving restrictions for the first few months your child has a license.
Before that learner’s permit is in your child’s hand, you can be a good role model as a driver and avoid distractions.
Consider implementing the Parent-Teen Driver Contract provided by the AAP.
Listen as Dr. Brian Johnston joins Melanie Cole, MS, in this encore episode from July 2019 to discuss safe driving for teens.
Teen Driving
Featuring:
He serves on the executive committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention and for 10 years was Editor-in-Chief of the academic journal Injury Prevention.
His academic interests include implementation of injury prevention in community settings and studies of the complex relationships between injury prevention, individual health and community well-being.
Brian Johnston, MD, MPH
Brian Johnston, MD, MPH, is professor of Pediatrics and adjunct professor of Health Services at the University of Washington in Seattle. He is the chief of pediatrics at Harborview Medical Center and an investigator at the Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center. In addition, he is the associate chief for clinical services in the UW Division of General Pediatrics and a medical director of the Washington Medical-Legal Partnership.He serves on the executive committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention and for 10 years was Editor-in-Chief of the academic journal Injury Prevention.
His academic interests include implementation of injury prevention in community settings and studies of the complex relationships between injury prevention, individual health and community well-being.