The prom should be a positive experience for your child, one that he or she will never forget. Before the big event there is much talk about gowns, tuxedos, which groups will share a limousine, and, of course, who will be the big date. But the most important part of that talk should come from you, the parent, in explaining to your child that prom night safety is crucial in the planning process, and that alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes are not necessary for a fun evening!
Parent Prom Tips
- On prom night demand that alcohol not be allowed.
- Make sure the vehicle your teen will be driving is in good working condition.
- Limit the number of passengers your teen will be allowed to transport.
- Insist that everyone in the vehicle wear seat belts at all times.
- Don't allow driving after midnight. Make alternative arrangements, such as a
limousine, car pool with other parents, or taxis, if necessary.
- If renting a limo, parents and passengers should sign a contract allowing the driver to phone parents if alcohol is detected. Insist that only registered passengers be allowed transportation.
- Be sure your teen provides phone numbers where he or she can be reached.
Parent Resources for Prom:
MADD and "Tips for a Safe Prom Night"
http://www.madd.org/docs/prom-color.pdf
More Parent Tips!
Parents are their children's first driving instructors. As parents, we set the example our children watch, learning our good and bad habits. Here are some great ideas, useful Web sites, and sound advice about communication, coaching and modeling good driving habits for your teen driver.
Check out the sample Parent Presentation from Prince William County Public Schools. CLICK HERE to view the presentation in pdf format. CLICK HERE to view the presentation in PowerPoint. It is recommended that you download the PowerPoint presentation to your computer to view it, since it is a large document.
Five Common Myths About Teen Driving:
MYTH: Parents have little influence over their teens' driving habits.
REALITY: On the contrary, parents have the greatest influence over their teens' driving habits, behaviors, and skills. According to a 1999 status report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), teens whose parents have three or more crashes on their records are 22% more likely to crash at least once, compared to teenagers whose parents have had no crashes.
Even though it may seem that your teenage son or daughter ignores your behavior and advice most of the time, keep in mind that your kids learn from watching you. When you're driving with your teen, model the behavior that you would like them to practice when they are behind the wheel: buckle up, slow down, and focus on the road.
MYTH: New SUVs are the safest cars for teen drivers.
REALITY: Although it's true that larger cars are safer for teen drivers, SUVs are not necessarily the safest. SUVs tend to have performance features - such as four-wheel drive and larger engines - which may give teens and parents alike a false sense of security. Roll-over rates are also higher for SUVs than for mid- to full-size cars. When choosing a car for your teen, think late-model, large, and solid. Ideal choices include either station wagons or full-size sedans with small engines and air bags. And be sure to check the vehicle history to ensure that it's safe and reliable.
MYTH: Teens who are above-average students will be safe drivers.
REALITY: Studies have shown that there is no relationship between a teen's report card and driving behavior. Driving requires a unique set of cognitive and motor skills that can't be measured by academic performance.
MYTH: At 16, a teenager is developmentally ready to handle the risks and responsibilities of driving.
REALITY: Teens' neural, physiological, and psychological development lags behind their physical development. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology reveals that teens' brains lack the emotional, mental, and physical abilities of an adult. Specifically, the prefrontal cortex in teens' brains is not as developed as in adults. This area of the brain manages judgment and ability to organize multiple tasks and sensory input, all requirements for safe driving. Additionally, myelinization of nerves - the process of coating of the nerves to transmit electrochemical signals between muscles and the brain - is not complete until the early 20s. Some of these developing nerves connect to parts of the brain that regulate judgment and impulse control. This incomplete neurological development causes teens to underestimate risky situations while driving.
MYTH: Most teen-related car crashes and fatalities are caused by driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
REALITY: There's no doubt that alcohol can be a deadly factor in car crashes involving teens; young drivers are less likely than adults to drive under the influence but their crash risk is substantially higher when they do. Just one drink can lead to fatal consequences when combined with a teen's relative inexperience behind the wheel. Drugs and alcohol also lower inhibitions and makes teens more likely to engage in risky behavior. Additionally, teens who drink and drive are less likely to buckle up.
However, in spite of these facts, driving while intoxicated is not the leading cause of crashes involving teens. According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, in fiscal year 2003, most vehicular fatalities among teens were caused by excessive speed (32%). Driver inattention accounted for 15% of all crashes, followed by driving on the wrong side of the road (11%). Alcohol use accounted for 10% of all fatalities.
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Helpful Links:
Monitor Your Teen's Driving From Home
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Parent/Teen Driving Agreement CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT FORM
Financial responsibilities for vehicle costs (indicate who pays and how much
- Fuel: Parent $_______ Teen $_______
- Maintenance: Parent $______ Teen $______
- Taxes and Registration: Parent $______ Teen $______
- Insurance: Parent $______ Teen $______
Maintenance responsibilities (indicate who has the responsibility for each item below)
- Checking vehicle fluids: Parent ______ Teen ______
- Checking tire pressure: Parent ______ Teen ______
- Cleaning vehicle interior: Parent ______ Teen ______
- Cleaning vehicle exterior: Parent ______ Teen ______
- Cleaning vehicle windows: Parent ______ Teen ______
As a beginning driver I agree to:
- Wear my seat belt when driving a motor vehicle and require those in a vehicle I am operating to wear their seat belts. If I do not comply the consequence will be:
- Do well in school academically and behaviorally. If I do not comply, the consequence will be:
- Obey traffic laws and drive safely at all times. If I do not comply the consequence will be:
- Agree not to drink and drive. If I do not comply the consequence will be:
- Comply with my curfew. If I do not comply the consequence will be:
- Comply with passenger restrictions. If I do not comply the consequence will be:
- Provide my parents/guardians with my destination and time of return. If I do not comply the consequence will be:
- Not allow others to drive my vehicle. If I do not comply the consequence will be:
- Call if I will be late. If I do not comply the consequence will be:
- Behave responsibly and be a courteous driver. If I do not comply the consequence will be:
As the Parent I agree to
- Be patient
- Teach proper driving techniques
- Provide a safe and reliable motor vehicle for my child
- Make sure my child drives in accordance with the laws of the road and the vehicle laws of Virginia
- Not allow my child to drive when he/she is physically, mentally or otherwise not able to drive safely
- Teach my child to be a courteous driver:
Signature of Beginner Driver: _______________
Signature of Parent: _______________
*All documents are formated as Adobe PDFs, please see the Adobe website to download their free PDF Reader.
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