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 Car crashes kill more teens than any other cause. Why? Most teen crashes involve lower seat belt use and more risky choices. Children’s Health Education Center is asking teens in Wisconsin to take control!
Many of the crashes that involve teens have common factors. The Law in Wisconsin aims to minimize these factors, but hearing it from a parent has far more impact. In fact, “Researchers found that teens are half as likely to crash and far less likely to drink and drive, use a cell phone, or speed if their parents set clear rules, pay attention to where they’re going, who they’ll be with, and when they’ll be home in a supportive way.” (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Young Driver’s Research Initiative, 2009)
There are things we can do as parents to make our kids safer drivers and three of the most important involve our behavior:
- Don’t wait until your teen turns 15½ to start talking about safe driving. Many teens are front seat passengers long before they are driving.
- Point out safe and unsafe driving that you see on the road.
- Drive how you want your teen to drive.
When you do talk with your teen about safe driving make sure to discuss the things that are factors in many teen crashes:
- Make sure everyone in the car is buckled up
- Prohibit cell phone use, both talking and texting
- Limit other distractions in the car (music, things rolling around)
- Restrict the number of passengers in the car (as a driver and passenger)
- Minimize night time driving
- Talk about speeding, using alcohol, and other risk taking behaviors
One thing many parents choose to do with their new driver is to have a meeting to discuss these points and form a contract that spells out the expectations. There are several good examples of contracts available through insurance companies, auto manufacturers, and health and safety agencies.
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Do you have a great idea for a seat belt safety program? Five high schools in the state will be awarded $1000 to create an intensive seat belt safety program in their school. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, December 23, 2009. Apply now!
Congratulations! Twenty high schools across the state received $250 Seat Belt Grants to complete a project in their school. All Seat Belt Grants for this funding period have been awarded. See the partipcating schools.
Check out our past partner schools. Click here.
See what other schools in Wisconsin have done. Click here.
Need an idea to start something in your school? Click here. |
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