Does Your Teen Have Enough Experience to Drive Safe?

If you asked your teen about their level of driving skills, most would answer that they are near expert level.  But you, of course, know that their response is pretty far from the truth.  According to a recent article in the Journal of Pediatrics, most teens feel they have had enough time behind the wheel to be safe.  Contrary to this belief, statistics show that teen drivers are at the highest risk of being in a car accident within six months of obtaining their drivers license.  In fact, car crashes remain the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 to 24.  With the rise in electronic distractions, its no surprise that teens are often the victims of fatal car crashes.  Between cell phones, ipods, dvds, and blackberries, teens are targeted with more devices that can make it difficult to concentrate on the road.  As parents, we can continue to enforce the message that driving under the influence of anything — texting, talking, drinking, or drugs — is dangerous for everyone on the road.