Before the Wheel, communities supporting safe driving for families & teens.

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West Bend - The Silver Lining

Safe teen driving starts with phased privilges

Sean is 16 years old and he has just received his driver license. He is excited. His mom is relieved. She will not have to bundle up the younger children every weekday evening and drive to the high school to pick up Sean from basketball practice. She will allow Sean to drive to basketball practice, school sporting events, the movies, and a few social events in his first few months of driving.

Tailoring a safe driving program to meet you teen’s needs with consideration of the his/her skill and decision making level is the best way to introduce your teen to the understanding that driving is a privilege.

Step 1

Meet with your teen in a relaxed setting, a favorite pizza place or coffee shop to discuss the privileges & responsibilities of driving.

The new driver should start out by driving alone or with one passenger to school, sports practice and events, and to friends that are close by. The parent and teen should discuss a set of expectations and sign an agreement. When your new driver successfully follows the Graduated Driver License rules, consistently returns home at the agreed upon time, does not engage in distracted driving, and is violation free, he/she should be rewarded by being allowed to go to the next level.

Step 2

Your teen has been driving for several months and has shown maturity by following the rules that you both agreed to. This is also great time to meet with your teen in a relaxed environment and talk about the responsibility of the additional driving privileges.

Congratulate your teen for completing Step 1 and discuss possible scenarios that may happen at this next stage. Additional privileges may include limited nighttime and weekend car use and driving further away There may be pressure from friends to allow more than one passenger in the car, play loud music, and not wear seat belts. Emphasize to your teen that the determination and fortitude to stand up to fellow teens and abide by the rules will lead to full driving privileges.

Step 3

A Defensive Driving class is the best way for your teen to identify hazardous situations on the road and respond competently. Completion of a defensive driving class combined with 9 to 12 months of driving experience with no violations are an opportunity for you and your teen to sit down and discuss independent driving and full privileges.

Defensive Driving: Download our current newsletter and go to page 4.


For a more information on phased privileges go to the US News and World report article: Firm Parents Keep Teen Drivers Safe

Go to www.wisafetycouncil.org or www.drive-for-life.com or www.waukesha.org for defensive driving course information.

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Before The Wheel™ provides you with information on how you can work with your teen to develop better technical skills and decision making skills. The website also provides you with information and resources about safe driving programs that are available right here in Wisconsin.

contact information

For more information about Before the Wheel, please contact
Anne Scallon
262.617.3139
annescallon@aol.com

useful weblinks

Insurance

West Bend Mutual Insurance Company West Bend policy includes the DVD, Young Drivers, The High-Risk Years for Families with Teen Drivers

Insurance Institute of Highway Safety DVD for parents of young drivers and explanation of Graduated Drivers Licenses for every state

National Safety Council Safety updates

Traffic and Weather

Traffic and weather information

YouTube, Texting While Driving, PSA

 


useful weblinks

Illinois

Operation Teen Safe Driving OTSD, program is for teens to become aware of the high risk behaviors that lead to serious injuries and fatalities:

PROM: Please Return On Monday and other great information.

Defensive Driving programs in Illinois

Indiana

Safe Teen Driving Coalition

Information about helping your teen “drive safely through the Hoosier State

Defensive Driving in Indiana

Iowa

Prevent Teen Traffic Deaths The Iowa Department of Transportation promotes safe teen driving

University of Iowa advice on driving for all ages

Defensive Driving in Iowa

Minnesota

Teens Behind the Wheel The 12 page informational brochure is a step-by-step guide for parents to provide a phased privilege program.

Defensive Driving in Minnesota

Wisconsin

Children's Health Education Center Programs for High Schools

Defensive Driving Programs

Drive for Life Advanced Vehicle Dynamics, Dane County

Defensive Driving for Teens WCTC, Waukesha

Wisconsin Safety Council Defensive Driving 8 hour course

Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin

Forever Changed Program for High Schools, includes mock crash scene and student participation. Call 414.805.3666

Just Drive

Online Resources

Graduated Drivers License

MSG 2 Teens Fox47 WMSN TV Madison offers high schools in the Madison viewing area to compete by developing and producing a 25 second, PSA, Public Service Announcement, on safe teen driving.

Milwaukee Family Magazine, Fall & Winter 2009
Safe Teen Driving, Teen Decision Making, Returning to School Safely and other articles. Free at Walgreens or call 262.367.5303 for other pick up locations.

PARC – Preventing Alcohol Related Crashes Drive Safe Drive Sober program is offered in the spring and helps teens learn the consequences of drinking and driving by participating in an event in which they witness a mock crash scene and visit a trauma center.