Well, it happened. My sons turned 14. They both eagerly (and confidently) raced to write their learner's knowledge test and both promptly failed! Time to take a deep breath and regroup. And yes, you guessed it, I jumped on the internet to do a little research to determine best-practices for parents of new drivers. Turns out the testing and the driver's education are just part of the process. Parents have an ongoing responsibility to familiarize themselves with the risks associated with young, inexperienced drivers and thoroughly map out a strategy for helping their teens become responsible, safe drivers. We need to tell our teens (and remind ourselves) that driving is a privilege not a right.
Albertan parents are placed in a particularly tough situation. The Government of Alberta allows kids to enter the learner's phase before all other provinces and territories in Canada, and there are only a handful of US states that allow 14 year old drivers. It's no surprise to learn that vehicle crashes are the leading killer of young people in Alberta and elsewhere. Back in 2002 the rate of casualty collisions for 16 and 17 year olds in Alberta was 28.8 per 1000 licenced drivers. That number has dropped to just below 20 per 1000, thanks in part to the introduction of graduated driver licensing in Alberta in May of 2003.1 Ontario was the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce GDL in 1994. Since then almost every province, state and territory has implemented the system whereby the new driver is eased into a full range of traffic conditions as experience and competency are gained. Alberta's GDL is not fool-proof. There is no requirement for certified driver's education as there is in some other jurisdictions. New drivers in Alberta are allowed to carry as many passengers as there are seatbelts for them, and they are only restricted from driving between midnight and 5am. There are, however, two road tests, a standard and an advanced road test before you can become a fully licenced driver. GDL has provided parents with a measure of comfort that their teens will be held to a high standard of rules and regulations, but keep in mind it is not a guarantee of your child's proficiency as a driver.
Over and over experts say that the biggest responsibility parents have is to promote safe driving by demonstrating safe driving themselves. The "do as I say, not as I do" sets a dangerous precedent for the new driver. Another important component is driver education which can teach valuable skills and techniques. Young Drivers of Canada provides 21 hours of classes as well as 13 driving sessions.2 Not only do they teach the rules of the road, they provide hands-on defensive driving techniques such as collision avoidance and emergency maneuvers. But teaching can only go so far. It is not so much a matter of technique or even trust that they will be responsible, as it is a matter of experience. Giving a teen lots of time behind the wheel of a 4000 pound machine with a parent riding shotgun and allowing them to practice over and over is what will make a big difference. Practice in all kinds of weather and traffic conditions. Whenever one gets behind the wheel the process of risk assessment begins. Completing that process again and again will help instill safe behaviours in the teen's subconscious mind.
Once a teen has sufficiently impressed their parents with their abilities and they have obtained their probationary licence, strict rules for driving alone need to be established. Many parents have their teen fill out a contract indicating what agreed upon consequences will result from transgressions. The "I Promise Program" out of Ontario offers a contract for a small sign up fee.3 The difference here is that a decal is affixed to the back window of the car asking "Am I driving safely?" and a 1-800 number. Should your child be reported to their centre as an unsafe driver you will be notified. Curfews, no passengers, no cellphones, always buckle up and no speeding are all rules that should be considered, all with consequences if they are breached. The whereabouts, destination and return time should always be communicated. I was interested to learn that 75% of new driver crashes happen on rural roads, mostly due to high speeds, gravel, alcohol and stunting with no one around to witness it. Special rules should be enforced for teens living on and near rural roads. Zero tolerance for alcohol and drugs should be strictly enforced. Participation in the local SADD chapter (formerly known as Students Against Drunk Driving and now known as Students Against Destructive Decisions) would be wise. This peer to peer youth education group has access to many resources and has helped countless teens do the right thing when it comes to driving and (not) drinking.
A special mention about vehicle choice, and ownership: Many teen TV shows glorify the kid who gets a sports car given to them for their 16th birthday. This is a questionable parenting decision. Research shows that teens will be more careful with the family car than they will with a vehicle of their own. And that car should not be a particularly "fast" or "cool" car either. It would be too much of a temptation to show off it's capabilities to their friends. Once the teen is ready for their own car they should buy it themselves with money they have earned, as well as pay for the insurance and repairs. Parents can help out with the costs, but the fact that the teen plunked down their own hard earned cash will go a long way to ensuring they do not do anything to damage it.
With three teens to usher through this process we have our work cut out for us. But driving is a fact of life in this huge land mass known as Canada. Teaching our kids to drive safely and confidently is a skill they will have for life and they will thank us for our efforts. Gaining this key to their independence will go a long way to ensuring their development as responsible members of society. And that is all a parent can wish for.
