Crashproof Your Kids

Book excerpt: BEFORE YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT HANDING YOUR TEENS THE CAR KEYS, DO EVERYONE A BIG FAVOR: CRASHPROOF THEM! Every year, six million sons and daughters will become first-time drivers. Fifty-eight percent of them will be involved in a car accident within a year of getting their license, and a significant portion of these crashes will be fatal. But here's the good news: research has shown that car crashes can be reduced by up to 30 percent when you, the parent, are actively involved in your teen's instruction and set certain limits. In Crashproof Your Kids, certified driving instructor and dad Timothy Smith has combined the collective wisdom of numerous experts to develop the Crashproof Plan: a series of behind-the-wheel exercises designed to improve your teen's driving awareness, behavior, and skill in a way that fits your schedule. Written in a highly accessible, informal, and often humorous style, this comprehensive plan begins where drivers' education programs end, and includes: • A step-by-step plan to develop your teen's braking, car control, and defensive driving skills • How to handle road emergencies and basic car maintenance • Tips on helping your teen deal with dangerous distractions, including peer pressure and the use of alcohol and drugs • The Crashproof Contract, which outlines the expectations, responsibilities, and rules of the road for both the teen and the parent You'll get plenty of help on how to communicate vital driving concepts to your teen, and you'll laugh, learn, and sympathize with stories from parents who have already been there. Crashproof Your Kids is an essential resource for any parents wanting to help their teenagers successfully navigate the single most dangerous activity they'll ever undertake.