Busy Schedules Hinder Parents' Ability to Provide Driving Experience for Teens
While parents claim to prioritize their teen drivers safety, a study found that busy schedules prevent them from providing real-world driving experience. Colorado has a graduated driver’s license program and laws regulating teen drivers, including curfews, passenger limits, and cellphone restrictions. The state’s Department of Transportation also offers guidance to help parents safely mentor their young drivers. However, a recent study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety revealed that parents often lack the follow-through to put their concerns into practice.
Influencing Driving Practice for Teens with Learner's Permits
The study looked at families in North Carolina with teenagers who had learner’s permits. Researchers put cameras in the families’ cars and talked to them 10 times over a year to see how the teens practiced driving. They found that the teens only practiced driving for about 1.6 hours per week, which is important for avoiding accidents. When asked why, most parents (70%) said they and their kids were too busy. 40% said the teens just didn’t want to get more experience.
Furthermore, the practice teens did receive was often limited to routine, safe conditions. Only about 25% of parents exposed their teen drivers to challenging scenarios like poor weather, new roads, or nighttime driving. Consequently, 47% of parents remained uncomfortable with at least one driving situation their teenager could face unsupervised. While 37% still allowed them to get a license.
The importance of parental support to teen drivers
In today’s fast-paced world, it can be difficult for parents to prioritize driving practice. However, it is essential to do so, as car accidents are the leading cause of death for 16-19-year-olds. Parents can have a big influence by setting a good example, providing lots of supervised practice, and reinforcing Colorado’s driving laws. While accidents can still happen, victims have the right to seek legal assistance.