Strategies to Keep Teenage Drivers Safe

As many did in our generation, we both grew up in working class environments, having to pay for everything we wanted. We did not have the ability to tap into parental resources as some kids do today. We learned to appreciate what we had simply because we had blood, sweat and tears vested into them.

My first car was no exception. It was a 1966 Chevy Impala, a huge white Boat of a car, but it was all mine. I had saved for months working as a paper boy/busboy to be able to afford the purchase and ongoing monthly insurance, gas and repair bills. Of course, once I owned such a stunning piece of machinery, I had to care, feed and add my special touches to my symbol of independence, all of course coming out of my own pocket.

Now to be fair, we could have made our first born purchase his own car. But like many parents, we were tied to the notion that "our kids should have a better life than we did". However, we struggled with this idea as well as; "What was good enough for us should be good enough for him".

So, instead of making him purchase his own vehicle, we decided to compromise, and allow him to drive the family station wagon. Keep in mind that this car was not the large buick that our grandparents drove, but a safe, practical car that provided basic transportation and already paid for. The basic criteria was that it had to have airbags and seatbelts, of course. It had the added feature of being all wheel drive so it handled better than most cars in inclement weather.

Based on its Crash Test Safety Rating, it was a good choice and we felt this was the best candidate for him to drive. Of course, the idea of driving the family wagon was detrimental to his coolness, but it was either that or walk. We thought the choice was obvious.

Implementing our strategy was not without heated discussions and strong will. There were times we were labeled the "Worst parents ever", being that his friends were getting a free pass on gas, insurance etc., but we held our ground. As time progressed, and his friends were receiving tickets and getting into accidents, we knew we made the right decision.

Continuing this strategy with our other two children we have had the same successes, although it has been a struggle to receive insurance payments, on a regular basis, we do give them some slack now and again.

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Status Report, Vol. 43, No. 7, Sept. 9, 2008 3
WHEN TEENAGERS CAN GET LICENSES in United States

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