Driver education programs are a proven way to help teenagers drive safe, but enrollment in them is on the decline.
Teenagers who skip or take limited driver’s education prior to obtaining their learner’s permit or license are at a much higher risk of being involved in a car accident, compared to those who complete extensive driver’s training. Unfortunately, across the U.S., less and less young drivers are taking classroom and road training programs. Some of this is due to unavailability of programs resulting from cutbacks in funding. In other cases, it is simply not required, so future drivers choose not to take courses.
A recent study conducted by the AAA Foundation found that teenagers who skip this important step are more likely to be involved in accidents, and also convicted of traffic citati
ons. The AAA Foundation also confirmed that there are statistics to prove that participation in driver education programs is declining around the country. This is true even though it is clear from years of research that driver education programs and professional training help a teenager become a safe and confident driver.
According to the study’s research, a driver’s education program was linked to a 4.3% drop in accidents and a 40% drop in convictions involving teenage drivers. Also, teenagers who completed these programs scored higher on rules of the road tests, and also showed higher levels of driving knowledge compared to peers who did not take the program.
Auto accidents are the number one cause of unintentional death among American teenagers in the 15-19 age group. This category of motorists accounts for only 6% of the total American driving population, but constitutes a significantly disproportionate number of fatalities every year. Parents should insist that their child take a certified driver’s education program before getting behind the wheel of any automobile.
Apart from insisting that your child takes a driver’s education program, you can also enter into a parent-child teen driving contract with your child. That involves establishing clear roles and responsibilities for your teenage driver, as well as consequences for violating rules. In a typical agreement, a teenage driver will promise to drive cautiously at all times, adhere to the provisions of their state’s graduated licensing program (including restrictions on nighttime driving and driving with teenagers in the car), always wear a seatbelt, never use cell phones while driving, and never engage in any kind of distracting activities such as eating, drinking, or reading at the wheel.
