Teen Drivers and Passengers: The Role of Parents A Guide For Parents

Transcription

1 Teen Drivers and Passengers: The Role of Parents A Guide For Parents

2 Table of Contents Introduction Why Parents Matter Assess Your Role The Facts Why Your Teen is a Risk The Role of Parents: Quick Tips The Role of Parents What is Your Parenting Style Useful Links References

3 Introduction Getting a drivers licence and rides from friends are exciting milestones for many teens. For parents it can be a relief to finally end their role as taxi driver and start enjoying their own freedom. It can also be one of the most stressful and challenging stages you face as a parent. Helping your teen become a safe driver and passenger will take time, planning, effort and patience on your part. Not only will you help protect your own teen, you will help to make the road a safer place for all. This resource is designed to help you in your role of parenting teens to become safe, smart drivers and passengers. INTRODUCTION 2

4 Why Parents Matter As a parent, you are more powerful than you may realize. Teens say their parents have the strongest influence on their driving and are their leading source of information even greater than their peers. Tragically, car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. The good news is most crashes can be prevented. As an informed and involved parent, you can cut your teens' crash risk in half. Teens who say their parents set and enforce rules, and pay attention to their activities in a helpful, supportive way are half as likely to crash. WHY PARENTS MATTER You can make a difference. Know the risks. Talk about the risks. Take steps to limit these risks with your teen. 3

5 As the parent of a teen, I always wear my seatbelt. I never use my cell phone while driving. I don't speed or tailgate. Assess Your Role I always drive focused and alert (not impaired by alcohol, medication, drowsy/fatigued) I talked about driver and passenger safety with my teen by the time they were 12 years old. I have shared my driving past with my teen (for example near misses, charges/crashes, and related costs or injuries) to show the need for early smart driving habits. I stay current with new laws. I have a balanced approach to parenting. I give my teen the freedoms they've earned, but for safety issues I set firm limits and consequences. I make time to listen to and support my teen. I know my teen's friends. I am interested in my teen's life. I go to their school/sport activities and I get involved. ASSESS YOUR ROLE I make time for fun family activities that we all enjoy doing together. I know what the risks are for teen drivers and passengers. I talk with my teen about ways to reduce risks. I believe my teen is responsible, mature and confident enough to start driving. I know what the Ontario Graduated Licensing System (GLS) stages and rules are. 4

6 I know where to go to learn more about the Ontario Graduated Licensing System (GLS). I know GLS rules may not be enough for my teen. I may add more rules for my teen based on known risks (for example no teen passengers or night driving any time of day for the first 6 12 months of independent driving). I track my teen's practice driving to ensure they get at least 50 hours of supervised driving in a variety of conditions. ASSESS YOUR ROLE (cont.d) I know that the greatest threat to my teen driver is inexperience. I talk with my teen about the risks of being a passenger with a teen driver. I include my teen in setting rules to match the risks of novice driving. I back my rules up with fact and follow through on consequences I review and change rules with my teen based on earned or lost privileges. I talk to the parents of my teen's friends. We agree on common driving and passenger rules everyone will enforce. I praise my teen when they use good judgment, follow rules and improve their driving skills. I tell my teen to call me, at any time, for a safe ride if it's not safe for them to drive or be a passenger. My teen pays some or all of their driving costs (for example insurance, gas, vehicle maintenance). Use this resource to help you prepare your teen to be a safe driver and passenger. 5

7 The Facts Ontario is one of the safest places to drive in North America. Ontario is a leader in road safety including: seat belt, street racing, driver distraction and cell phone laws zero blood alcohol concentration (BAC) laws for novice and young drivers graduated licensing system (GLS) beginner driver training curriculum listing revoked/approved driving schools. As a result, 60% fewer teens died or were injured in a traffic crash between 1988 and Despite this positive trend: Traffic crashes remain the number one cause of death for teens. The first 6 to 12 months of independent driving after getting a licence is the most dangerous time for any new driver. Traffic crashes cause many of the most severe brain injury cases. Young males 16 to 24 years old are the largest group affected. Male drivers are more likely to die in crashes than females Though these facts can be alarming, you can make a difference. THE FACTS As a parent you have the greatest influence on your teen's driving safety. You can make a difference. Know the risks. Talk about the risks. Take steps to limit these risks with your teen. 6

8 Why Your Teen is at Risk WHY YOUR TEEN IS AT RISK Inexperience Most teen crashes are caused by inexperience and happen in the first year of independent driving. Teen brains are still growing and maturing. The part of the brain responsible for risk taking, decision making and judgment doesn't fully develop until age Insurance companies know that young inexperienced drivers have a higher risk of crashing and therefore charge higher insurance premiums for young drivers. Most insurance companies don't give a full cost reduction until drivers reach age 25, provided they have a clean driving record. Most teens over estimate their driving skills and under estimate the risks of driving. Teens consider themselves and their friends to be experienced drivers when they get a drivers licence. This unrealistic confidence puts teens at risk, both as new drivers and passengers. Passing a driver's course or getting a driver's licence alone does not make a young driver experienced. Driving experience is gradually gained before and long after getting a licence. Teens who say their parents set and enforce rules, and pay attention to their activities in a helpful, supportive way are half as likely to crash. Speeding 40% of speeding drivers in fatal crashes are years old. The typical speeding driver is a young male. One-third of the victims killed in speeding crashes were passengers. Teens who say their parents set rules and pay attention to their activities in a helpful way are half as likely to speed as those who describe their parents as less involved. Visit See the difference a 5 km/hr change in speed can make Ontario Ministry of Transportation: Driving the Speed Limit 7

9 Distractions Teens falsely believe they can drive distracted without increasing the risk of a serious crash. A recent study found that drivers on cell phones are more impaired than drivers driving over the legal Blood Alcohol Content limit. Drivers talking on a cell phone increase the risk of crashing by up to four times. Texting while driving increases the risk of crashing by up to 23 times. Teens who say their parents set rules and pay attention to their activities in a helpful way are less likely to use cell phones while driving than those who describe their parents as less involved Visit Eyes on the Road, Hands on the Wheel, Ontario Cell Phone Laws WHY YOUR TEEN IS AT RISK (cont d) 8

10 Passengers WHY YOUR TEEN IS AT RISK (cont d.) 2/3 of teens killed in car crashes are the passengers of teen drivers. The more teen passengers in the vehicle, the greater the risk of a fatal crash. One teenage passenger with a teen driver doubles the risk of a fatal crash, while the risk becomes 5x higher when two or more ride along. It's more than how teen passengers act in the car. Just knowing they're being watched by friends can make teens drive risky. Young male drivers are more likely to drive risky when driving with other young male passengers. In 2009, 23% of students reported being a passenger in a vehicle at least once in the past year with a driver who had been drinking, and 18% reported riding with a driver who had been using drugs. Teens who say their parents set and enforce rules, and pay attention to their activities in a helpful, supportive way are half as likely to crash. Visit Passenger Information for Parents Seat Belts Seat belts provide the best protection in a crash lowering the chance of injury and death by more than 50%. The good news is Canada, Ontario and Durham Region have among the highest rates of seat belt use in the world. 94% of drivers and 92% of passengers in Durham Region report using a seat belt all of the time. However young drivers and passengers, especially males, are the least likely to wear seat belts and the most likely to crash. Unbelted passengers can become high speed objects in a crash. The risk of a front-seat passenger being killed rises 75% with an unbelted passenger in the back seat. Teens who say their parents set rules and pay attention to their activities in a helpful way are twice as likely to wear a seat belt than those who describe their parents as less involved. 9 Visit Ontario Ministry of Transportation: Seat Belts, Stay Safe and Secure

11 Impaired Driving Impaired driving includes driving impaired by alcohol, marijuana, medication, other drugs or fatigue. The good news is young people are the least likely of all drivers to drink and drive. However the teens who do drink and drive are at a very high risk of crashing. In Canada, the highest rate of impaired-driving deaths occurs at age19. In 2009, 12% of Ontario high school drivers drove within an hour after drinking and 17% drove after using marijuana. Males are more likely than females to drink or use marijuana and drive. Almost 25% of all crashes causing death and injury are fatigue related. Young male drivers and drivers under the influence of alcohol are the most likely to drive while tired. Teens who say their parents set rules and pay attention to their activities in a helpful way are less likely to drive impaired than those who describe their parents as less involved. Visit Ontario Ministry of Transportation Ontario's Zero BAC for Drivers 21 and Under Drug and Alcohol Use: Parent Resources arentresources.htm&setfooter=/includes/health/healthfooterdhcl.inc WHY YOUR TEEN IS AT RISK (cont d) 10

12 The Role of Parents Quick Tips You have the greatest influence on your teen. Get the facts. Know the risks. Talk about driver and passenger safety well before driving age. Role model smart, safe, courteous driving. Know the Ontario Graduated Licensing System (GLS). Provide at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving. Set, monitor and enforce driving restrictions. Communicate clearly and convincingly put it in writing. Know your parenting style. QUICK TIPS Visit Parents are Key to Safe Teen Drivers 11

13 The Role of Parents Start Early One day our daughter in grade 7 missed the school bus after I had already left for work. She grabbed a ride with the neighbour teen who just got his licence. We hadn't talked about who she could or couldn't ride with and why, so we had to set down some new rules after that. Most parents talk to their child about smoking, drugs and peer pressure by age 12 however don't talk about safe driving and riding until age 15 - long after their teens' attitudes toward driving have developed. Start talking with your teen about being a safe driver and passenger well before they reach driving age. You can make a difference. Know the risks. Talk about the risks. Take steps to limit these risks with your teen. START EARLY 12

14 KNOW THE GRADUATED LICENSING SYSTEM (GLS) AND RESTRICTIONS The Role of Parents Know the Graduated Licensing System (GLS) and Restrictions I grew up with the 365 system so I didn't know what the new G1 and G2 was. It was hard to keep track of what my daughter could and couldn't do in each stage. I counted on her to know. The Graduated Licensing System (GLS) is a two-step process that lets new drivers gain driving experience and skills gradually to reduce their risk. As a parent, you play a critical role in making sure your teen knows and follows the rules of the GLS system. Be informed. Know the Ontario Graduated Licensing System (GLS) and traffic laws. Talk about GLS restrictions and laws with your teen. GLS laws set minimum restrictions. These restrictions may not be enough for your teen. You know your teen the best. Review Ontario's GLS and decide if you need to add more restrictions for your teen (for example no teen passengers or night driving for the first 6 to12 months of independent driving any time of day). Visit: Graduated Licensing How to Get Your Drivers Licence 13

15 Role Model Safe Driving The Role of Parents Now that my son has his G1 he watches and critiques my every move when I am driving. How I drive gets more of a reaction from him than what I say. Hard to get him to drive safely if I am not doing it myself. How you drive speaks louder than words. Role model safe, smart, courteous driving and attitudes. Consider taking a refresher or defensive driving course to stay current. Practice what you preach. Always wear your seat belt. Never use cell phones while driving. Limit in-car distractions. Always drive at safe speeds and distances from other cars. Always drive focused and alert (not impaired by alcohol, fatigue, medication/drugs). Nobody is perfect. Talk to your teen about your past driving behaviours (for example: charges, crashes, resulting losses, costs or injuries) to reinforce why it is so important for them to develop smart driving habits early. ROLE MODEL SAFE DRIVING You can make a difference. Know the risks. Talk about the risks. Take steps to limit these risks with your teen. 14

16 The Role of Parents Supervise, Monitor and Track Practice Driving SUPERVISE, MONITOR AND TRACK PRACTICE DRIVING I know that a big part of learning to drive is good judgment and that only comes with logging on the miles. I let my daughter drive as much as possible. Even though it's stressful driving with her. Most driving schools provide only 10 hours of on road practice driving. Monitor and track your teen's practice driving hours to make sure they get at least 50 hours of supervised driving in a variety of conditions (weather, type of road, time of day and traffic volume). This may include hours driven in a driver's education course, with a parent or with another responsible adult. Include at least 10 hours of night driving and 10 hours in winter conditions. Parents often over estimate the amount of practice driving their teen has done. Parents and teens who track the hours and conditions driven are the most successful. Find another responsible adult your teen can drive with to gain 50 hours of supervised practice driving if: you don't have a licence you find it too stressful driving with your teen you don't have enough time Visit Driver Education Fact Sheet Driving School Checklist List of Approved and Revoked Beginner Driver Education Courses in Your Community 15

17 The Role of Parents Set, Monitor and Enforce Restrictions At times it was really challenging enforcing our rules with a 'pleading teen' and then we had to put up with a 'surly teen'. While it was a very stressful time, I'd rather have a surly teen than a dead or permanently injured one. Setting and enforcing driving rules can be the most stressful stage in a parent teen relationship. Teens' need and want to know what is expected of them, why and the consequences of their actions. Together, calmly talk and set clear driving and passenger rules to match the risks of novice driving. Expect resistance. Be firm and follow through on consequences. Review rules and be prepared to change them as your teen has earned or lost driving privileges. Talk to the parents of your teen's friends. Try to commit to a common set of rules everyone will support and enforce. Encourage your teen to call you if it is not safe for them to drive or ride as a passenger. Be available to drive them or arrange for a safe ride. Give positive feedback when your teen uses good judgment, gains driving experience, follows restrictions and improves their driving skills. Visit Expect Resistance page/expect_resistance/for_parents SET, MONITOR AND ENFORCE RESTRICTIONS 16

18 The Role of Parents Communicate Clearly Put it in Writing: Teen - Parent Driving Contracts I thought my husband was too lenient. You have to be on the same page as your spouse and present a united front on rules. COMMUNICATE CLEARLY Your teen needs to know what you expect of them. Be very clear and convincing. A Teen-Parent Driving contract can help you communicate rules and consequences clearly. This contract can also be shared with other adults in your teen's life (for example other parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, older siblings) who may be involved in your teens driving. Visit Parent Teen Driving Contract You can make a difference. Know the risks. Talk about the risks. Take steps to limit these risks with your teen. 17

19 What is Your Parenting Style? How you parent has a strong effect on whether your teen takes part in or avoids risky driving. Teens who say their parents set rules and pay attention to their activities in a helpful way are: half as likely to be in a crash half as likely to speed less likely to drive impaired and use cell phones while driving twice as likely to wear a seat belt This balanced approach to parenting teens, called authoritative parenting includes: freedom within limits talking setting rules based on facts and safety paying attention to your teen's activities and friends being supportive in a non controlling way staying connected with your teen while fostering independence I care, and I'll give you the freedoms you earn; but, for safety related issues, you'll do as I say. Visit: Connecting with your Teenager Years teens.pdf Parenting: Raising a Healthy Teenager Positive Discipline for Teens Years ections/13-18yrs.pdf WHAT IS YOUR PARENTING STYLE? 18

20 What Parents Said About Teen Driving Things have changed so much since when I learned to drive. The roads are busier and more complex, they have cell phones now, and cars and insurance are a lot more expensive. I'm taking this a lot more seriously with my kids than my parents did when I got my licence. WHAT PARENTS SAID ABOUT TEEN DRIVING My daughter insisted on taking the car to school the day after she got her licence. She was so excited to show off to her friends. How could I say no? I know they all went driving around at lunch time. I was so nervous at work that day. I shouldn't have let her have the car. My son knows I will still drive him and his friends where they need to go until he gets more driving experience on his own. I'd rather stay up late to pick them up from a party than stay up worrying about them driving at night with friends. Expect conflict and deal with it when your teen drives. It's part of it. Stay tough and stick to your rules. Life is about taking risks. If you've done your job and put in the time of giving your teen tons of driving experience, reading them the riot act and earning their respect then you can both enjoy this rite of passage. You have to let them go knowing you have done your job well. It made it a lot easier knowing many of my kid's friends through hockey. As parents, we saw each other and talked regularly at games and practices so when they were all at the stage of getting their licence, we were all on the same page so that helped. It made it easier for the kids too less peer pressure to do something they shouldn't because they all had same rules. They couldn't try the But so and so's parents let them because I knew so and so's parents and I knew they wouldn't let their son do that. 19

21 Useful Links Getting a Licence Getting a Driver's License in Ontario Graduated Licensing System (GLS) in Ontario Young and New Driver Resource Centre Driving Safety Don't Text While Driving Durham's Top 10 Driving Dangerous Driving Behaviours Easy to Use Driving Contract Teen Safe Driving: Parent Research Think and Drive Parenting Teens Connecting with your Teenager Years teens.pdf USEFUL LINKS Drug and Alcohol Use: Parent Resources parentresources.htm&setfooter=/includes/health/healthfooterdhcl.inc Parents are the Key Positive Discipline for Teens Years ections/13-18yrs.pdf Raising a Healthy Teenager SMARTRISK: Parents and No Regrets 20

22 References AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety accessed Jan. 14, Allstate Foundation (2009), Teen Safe Driving: Parent Research Findings, accessed Jan. 27, BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation, accessed March 22, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (2009), Drug Use Among Ontario Students , accessed March 22, 2011 from US/Highlights_DrugReport_2009OSDUHS_Final_Web.pdf Department for Transport London, Road Safety Research Report #98: Why People Do and Do Not Wear Seatbelts, accessed March 1, 2011 www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/research/rsrr/theme5/reportno98.pdf REFERENCES Durham Region Health Department, Focused Report on High Risk Driving in Durham Region 2009, accessed March 22, focusedreporthighriskdriving.pdf Ginsburg, K. et al, (2009), Associations between parenting styles and teen driving, safety-related behaviors and attitudes, Pediatrics, 124(4), pp Ministry of Health Promotion (2010), Prevention of Injury Guidance Document, Standards, Programs & Community Development Branch. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Youth Statistics, accessed March 22, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2009), Factors Related to the Likelihood of a Passenger Vehicle Occupant Being Ejected in a Fatal Crash, accessed March 22, 2011 from www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pubs/ pdf Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, accessed Feb. 22, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Road Safety, accessed March 22, 2011 from Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Ontario Road Safety Annual Report 2008, accessed May 30,

23 References Ontario Ministry of Transportation. Seatbelts, Stay Safe and Secure. Accessed March 22, Ontario Provincial Police, July 2011, Put Your Device Down and Pay Attention to the Task at Hand media release accessed July 15, The Center for Injury Research and Prevention. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm (2009), Driving Through The Eyes of Teens: A Closer Look, accessed March 22, The Centre for Injury Research and Prevention. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Teen Driver Source accessed March 27, Traffic Injury Research Foundation, Driver Education Fact Sheet, accessed Feb. 10, Traffic Injury Research Foundation (2008), Youth and Road Crashes: Magnitude, Characteristics and Trends accessed Jan. 10, Traffic Injury Research Foundation, Fatigued Driving Brochure accessed on Feb. 28, ure.pdf REFERENCES Transport Canada (2008), A Quick Look at Speeding Crashes in Canada, accessed Feb. 22, SMARTRISK, Parent Tip Sheet: A Parent's Guide to Teen Driving, accessed March 22, Wolfe, D. What Parents Need to Know about Teens: Facts, Myths and Strategies. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health,

24 Durham Health Connection Line or durham.ca/parentdrivingguide Follow us on: Information available in accessible formats. May 2013