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Drive Smart
Stay Focused, Stay Safe, Drive Smart
Three important steps parents can do before their teen learns to drive.
Before Handing Your Teen the Keys
Before handing your teen the keys, learn how to start meaningful conversations about safe driving, reduce distractions, encourage responsible passenger behavior, and access practical tools that help build lifelong safe driving habits.
- How can I help them Stay Safe?
- Can I help them Stay Focused?
- How do I Start the Conversation?
- Can Passengers Help?
- What Tools are available to Help Me?
Contact Us
C.S. Mott Children's Hospital
University of Michigan Health System
Pediatric Trauma
1500 East Medical Center Dr. F3970, SPC 5231
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5231
1500 East Medical Center Dr. F3970, SPC 5231
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5231
Phone: 734-232-1502
Email: [email protected]
Three Important Steps Parents Can Do Before Their Teen Learns to Drive
- MODEL the driving behaviors you want your teen to follow. Driver’s education begins the moment you turn the car seat around; they will imitate your habits.
- TEACH your teen the dangers of distracted driving; point out examples and talk about behaviors that take your focus off the road. Need examples? Watch this video together:
- ASK them to help as a safe passenger. Review our Safe Passenger Tips here.
Video: Teen Distractions and Crashes
Your Teen is Behind the Wheels, Now What?
- Set up safe driving habits such as a routine to follow each time they prepare to drive. Review our Safe Driver Tips here.
- Discuss "do not disturb" times when your teen is likely to be driving. During these times promise to not text or call your teen and ask others to do the same.
- Download an app on your teen’s phone that silences alerts while the vehicle is on motion.
Give your teen key phrases to use if they’re riding with a distracted driver. Teaching them how to be safe passengers will make them better drivers.
"I'm sick, stop the car"
"Hey, I want arrive alive, just drive"
"Tell me where we are going and I'll look it up on my phone so you can drive"
"Pull over I'm not in that big of a hurry"
Results of an AT&T survey showed that 57% of drivers would stop using their phone behind the wheel if asked by a friend.
- Practice with these Drive Smart Exercises; test your street smarts moving through Distractions Avenue. Practice Now!
- Complete the Parent-Teen Driving Agreement. Whether or not you set rewards or consequences discuss the items and promise to also follow responsible driving as a parent.
- Periodically review progress on the items in the Agreement – have you both stayed focused?
