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It is normal for parents to worry about their teen driving, and SWERVE Driver Training understands this. Experienced drivers realize that driving is more than simply operating a motor vehicle. SWERVE focuses teen students on the responsibility of driving, and a team of education and behavioral specialists and elite driver training professionals have designed our research-based curriculum to promote responsible behaviors and to help teens stay collision free for a lifetime. |
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SWERVE teaches young drivers both practical driving skills and risk-management strategies: how to identify hazards, anticipate events or other driver actions and maintain control of their vehicles under many different driving conditions. |
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SWERVE makes Parent Involvement an integral part of our Teen Driver Training Program. |
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Parents attend the orientation / first driver training class with their teen, in the state-of-the-art SWERVE Classroom to learn more about our curriculum, the licensing process, and responsible driving. |
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All Parents are given a Parent Toolkit, containing licensing information, driving and parent coaching techniques, and tips for promoting responsible driving at home. |
| Parents play a role as driving coaches to their teens during the licensing process: we help you do a more effective job by providing personalized practice prescriptions , areas of your teens driving that need improvement, as assessed by our driving coaches, during your teens SWERVE driver training sessions. |
The Facts About Teen Drivers |
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Teens tend to overestimate their driving abilities and underestimate the risks they face. This tendency is found especially in the following conditions: |
- High speeds - young adults tend to think they have more control than they do.
- Weather and lighting conditions- young adults may not have the experience to realize how dangerous driving can be in changing weather or light.
- Multiple highways or expressways - young drivers may get confused in heavy traffic, entering and exiting freeways or driving on multiple lane roads.
- Stop and Yield signs - young drivers may not have the experience to recognize all traffic signals or respond appropriately to street signs.
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Statistics show that parents have good reasons to worry about their teen drivers. Because they are young, they are generally unskilled and inexperienced when they begin to drive on the roadway. In addition, some young adults tend to exhibit poor judgment behind the wheel - taking chances, showing off or other dangerous driving habits. |
- Young adults are only 7% of US licensed drivers (1997) but they account for 14% of drivers involved in fatal accidents.
- 2 of 3 teen passenger deaths occur in crashes where a teen is driving.
Studies show that 4% of all teenage motor vehicle deaths occur on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 35% of these between 9PM and 3AM .
- Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 16 to 20 year olds. (Not included are the ones who live but are never the same again.)
- 40% of teen drivers will have at least one crash during their first year.
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| As a parent, you can help your teen become a responsible and skilled driver. The following are some guidelines that may help. |
- Be a positive role model - when you are behind the wheel, drive and act the way you want your teen to.
- Take driving seriously and make safety a priority. Remember, you are a model for your teen even if they won't admit it.
- Talk about driving with your teen - encourage your teen to evaluate the actions of other drivers. Discuss the meaning of road signs. Pass on helpful driving tips and share the benefit of your driving experience.
- Give your teen supervised driving time - practice with your teen because the more experience he or she gets, the better driver your teen will be on their own. Include driving at night, driving in school zones, city streets, over hazards, winding roads and highways.
- Set a FIRM policy regarding alcohol. Parents need to make it clear that drinking and driving is illegal and potentially deadly. Stress to your teen that your goal is their safety. Design a plan to address various emergency situations and tell your young adults what to do if they are ever unable to drive, for any reason.
- Buckle Up - parents can set an example from infancy when it comes to wearing a seat belt. This habit carries over and your teen will ensure that their passengers buckle up too!
- Develop a WRITTEN contract regarding your teen and vehicle use - this contract should be treated seriously and specifically address the drivers responsibilities.
- Determine rules for curfew, passengers, distances traveled and any restrictions or conditions for your teen.
- Develop a plan for each phase of your teen drivers advancement toward independent driving.
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