Teens and Driving

The number of teens driving while talking on a cell phone or texting is very scary. A USA Today article stated, “Nearly nine in 10 teenage drivers have engaged in distracted-driving behaviors such as texting or talking on a cellphone although most of them know that their actions increase their risk of crashing, a new survey finds.” These are frightening statistics.

It is imperative to set boundaries around driving. MASK (Mothers Awareness on School-aged Kids, an organization dedicated to educating both parents and children about the issues facing our youth today) created a Parent/Teen Driving Contract. It is the parents responsibility to clearly state safe driving expectations. The contract addresses texting and talking on a cell phone, but also addresses taking care of the car, following traffic laws, emotions (driving while angry), as well as other important safety concerns. An important statement in the MASK Driving Contract states, driving “is also a privilege granted to me by my parents, who are under no obligation to do so, and who may withdraw the privilege at any time.” To download the Parent/Teen Driving Contract, visit the MASK web site.