Advice History

In order to help keep kids safe on the road, each state has various laws pertaining to how and when kids under 18 can operate a car. Some states only allow family members to drive with teens until they are 18. Some states also suspend licenses until a teen turns 18 if they get ticketed before they are 18.  Be sure your teenager knows the rules of the road before driving the road alone. In today?s world, seat belts are a standard but still some kids like to drive without them. Let your kid know this is not an option.

And always make sure your kid never gets behind the wheel or in any one else?s car if alcohol has been consumed.

In addition to the response above, I recomend not letting your child go out driving on his or her own the first day he or she gets his(her) license. Set limits. Only allow your son/daughter to drive to and from school, or sports/performance practices. Make sure your child calls you before they leave the house, and as soon as they arrive at the practice. In addition, don't let your son/daughter start out driving with even one friend or family member in the car, unless it is a trusted adult who has been driving for 5+ years. Also, if you can remove and radio/cd/tape player from the car, do so, for the radio is a major distraction to teenage drivers. This will eliminate distractions and allow your son/daughter to learn to drive safely.  (Your son/daughter will probably *hate* you for enforcing these rules, but it will make him/her a better, safer driver. **from experience**)

~Jamie