Parent to Parent: Teenage Drivers

WSVN -- We see it all too often, teens killed because of reckless driving. A frightening fact: experts say car accidents are the number one killer of teenagers.

Brandon Bogart of In Control Advanced Driver Training: "We lose more people in a year, more teens in a year, than we have lost in the whole Iraq war conflict."

But there's a way for parents to take the wheel and turn their teens into safe drivers. Road rule number one: practice makes perfect. Before your kid hits the road, he or she should hit the track. These fathers and sons are speeding, swerving and skidding around a practice course.

A teenager: "Did we die? I think we died."

This class is teaching them how to avoid driving dangers like tailgating.

Brandon Bogart: "The more the parent is involved, the more the teen is going to respect what they say. Also, the more likely they are to set good habits."

Road rule number two: street safety. Teach your teen to constantly be on the lookout for potential problems on the road.

Bob Buckley: "Sometimes it's a little game that we have: Three Cars Up. We'll bet that guy's probably going to change lanes without putting his blinker on."

Road rule number three: set an example. It may not seem like it, but your teen is watching you when you're behind the wheel.

Brandon Bogart: "If you speed or you tailgate or you show road rage, your kids are watching, and they are going to copy that."

Road rule number four: parental patrol. Crackdown on bad behaviors like dialing and driving.

Brandon Bogart: "Set the rules ahead of time and the consequences ahead of time."

Following a few road rules can be the key to keeping your teens safe from driving dangers.

Lynn Martinez: "Also, start a dialogue with your teenager. Experts say it will pay for parents who spend some time talking to their kids about the dangers of drinking and driving."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

In Control Advanced Driver Training:
http://incontroladt.com/index.html