Getting that first driver's license may be the most exciting thing for teenagers—and the most frightening one for their parents. Car crashes are the leading cause of death and injury for teens 16 to 19 in the United States. The crash rate for teens is four times higher than for adults, and the risk is even greater for a first-year driver. But research by the National Institutes of Health shows that when parents are actively involved in the licensing process their teen is much safer on the road.

Being involved means talking with your teens about whether they are ready to show good judgment and follow the law. It means using a calm and respectful voice when you supervise their driving. Setting an example when you drive helps, as does establishing a contract that spells out the consequences for unacceptable driving behavior.

Being involved also means enforcing your state's graduated drivers licensing (GDL) law. AAA has worked hard advocating for GDL laws that limit a new driver's exposure to dangerous situations such as driving at night or while using a cell phone. Florida enacted the first GDL law in 1996; now all 50 states and the District of Columbia have GDL provisions in place. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says that GDL laws have reduced traffic deaths for 16-year-olds by as much as 38 percent and injuries by 40 percent.

AAA offers an array of tips, tools, and programs to help teens and parents at AAA.com/teensdrive, including AAA StartSmart, a free series of 18
e-newsletters developed by the National Institutes of Health. StartSmart features a model parent-teen driving agreement and tips for supervising driving and avoiding distractions. Members can go to the site to order Driver-ZED, a free interactive DVD-ROM, and to find TeenSmart, a program that can qualify a teen for an insurance discount. (AAA also offers good student and away-at-school discounts.)

AAA has been an unwavering advocate for teen driving safety for decades, and we want to continue partnering with you to keep all our young drivers safe on the road.

Photography by Anne Hamersky