question about teens- not CF related

[Seana30]

<FONT color=#008000 size=3><STRONG>Okay, this question is for all the parents of teenagers.My daughter will be turning 15 in February.  In Texas you can get your learners permit to drive at 15, your license at 16.Lauren is VERY active in her school and it seems all I do is run her to cheerleading practice, violin practice, etc.  A news report just came out yesterday with startling facts about accidents involving teenage drivers.At what age did you allow your teenagers to get their license?  I would love for Lauren to be able to drive herself, but am terrified to let her behind the wheel of a car!!Any advise will help!ThanksSeana</STRONG></FONT>

 

[anonymous]

They can get learner's permits and licenses even earlier where I live and a lot of my cousin's kids have gotten permits at 14 and licenses at 15. I guess it's a matter of seeing how they do with their learner's permits. My cousins indicate it's a godsend for them -- their kids are in a LOT of activities and they said it really freed up a lot of time for them. Plus they were able to run errands for them -- pick up siblings, run to the grocery store... One of the kids DID take the car out into the country and wasn't used to driving on gravel and totalled his car. He was fine. They made him call his grandmother and tell her what he did. No problems since then.

If she's interested, let her get her learner's permit and see how she does. You can always delay the licensing until later on if she doesn't appear to be ready. Liza

 

[Purplelungz]

You have to remember that sometimes they do these statitic thigns to scare people. I mean i heard somewhere a few years back they were trying to raise the age you can get your liscence and they used the same scare tatic. Saying most accidents are caused by teens. Now most kids will get in an accident within their first 3 years of driving, most of the time its a fender bender nothing serious. I have never been in an accident (knock on wood). My brother has been in an accident his first year of driving but it wasnt even his fault. Would have happened to whoever was behind this old man. Thats the other things these reports dont put out how many accidents are caused by older people (as in over 60) which is also alot). Remember dont worry that your daughter is driving, what you need to worry about is everyone else on the road. acutally its not good to worry but you get my point i hope.
I say let her drive like everyone else. While she has her permit dont be like how my dad was and not let us drive. When she gets her permit take her driving in neighborhoods really anywhere you think is safe for a first time driver (dont make it to easy or she will never learn). Dont freak out when she drives otherwise that might deter her from wanting to drive with you around. If she is observant, cautious and overall good driver you will be able to tell while she has her driving permit and should feel more comfortable knowing how she drives once she gets her liscense. Anyway what I'm trying to say is dont put off letting her get a permit or drive when she gets her liscense because if she doesnt learn now you will be just as scared of her driving a few years later because she will still be a new driver. Are you really scared of her driving because she will be bad at it or scared because this is just another step of her growing up? serious question. my sis in law didnt want her son to drive claiming he is a bad driver and doesnt pay attention, when in fact he is a good driver its like he has been driving for years, she just one of those thats scared to let her kids grow up. Shes even mad that he has a girlfriend. i dont mean to offend you just wondering if you really think she is going to be such a bad driver shes going to get in an accident right off the bat. because i will admit i have been friends with some people that i was scared to get in the car with, i didnt even know how they passed their test, come to find out it took them several tries. yikes.

 

[Seana30]

<FONT color=#008000 size=3><STRONG>purple,Lauren is a very responsible teenager.  She makes GREAT grades and has showed a lot of responsiblity, so I have to say that it is me.  I think she will be a good driver, so it is purely me being scared.You make some good points.  I think I just need to get over my own fears, and my mom sending me tons of articles about how bad teenage driver are doesn't help......lolThanks to both for the advice.Seana</STRONG></FONT>

 

[julie]

Coming from someone just barely out of those teen years, I was kind of like your daughter, responsible, trustworthy... and such. Theste statistics given are pretty much (in my opinion and experience) given based on scaring parents from letting their teens get drivers licenses at an early age. Too many kids who AREN'T responsible or trustworthy are getting their licenses because their parnts have no other option and against their best judgement they allow their children to get it. I got my lerners permit at 15, and did have an accident at 17 but it was not my mistake (wrong place, wrong time). No tickets though, no other problems or anything.

It sounds like your daughter is ready and it is my personal opinion that you should give her a chance, let her test the waters and see how she handles one more responsibility.

Just my two cents, hope that is what you were looking for...

 

[Seana30]

Hi! This is Lauren! Thanks for giving my mom all the advice, and I agree with ALL of you! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">Lauren (ready to drive)

 

[Purplelungz]

Lol your welcome lauren.

Seana I also have to say if its your mom sending you those articles, where does she get them for one and for two maybe she is scared her grandbaby is growing up to fast too LOL.

 

[wuffles]

Just thought I would add my thoughts here, even though I am not a parent and not that far out of my teenage years <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0">

I started driving by myself at 17 and have had one minor accident where someone ran into the back of me while I was giving way - 100% their fault. None of my friends have ever been in serious accidents and I think many of the statistics on road accidents sound so scary simply because there are SO many teens driving. For example, lots of the statistics I have heard are about young drivers at night-time, when realistically, that age group is more likely to be on the roads at night time, therefore an increased number of accidents is logical.

I have also seen studies or tests where young drivers have done much better than "older" drivers. They often have better concentration when loud music or distractions are involved, good reaction times and are up to date on road safety and rules, having recently passed their tests.

I can imagine it would be difficult to come to terms with all the risks as a parent, especially with all those nasty statistics! But I'm sure you will work it out and everything will be fine!

 

[anonymous]

Hi,
I actually don't have too much to add. Just thought I'd mention that you'll probably get more comfortable as you practice driving with Lauren. I think my uncle did a great job with that- he had his son practice almost every chance he got. He even took his son out when it was snowing (non-busy roads) so that he could get used to how a car handles in all kinds of weather. I guess snow isn't really an issue in TX, but I hope you know what I mean. My uncle had driven so much with his son that he was able to get comfortable with the idea and really help his son to become a great driver. Which he still is to this day- he is just great behind the wheel. Of course, as a parent, my hair immediately turns grey thinking about my son out on the road but I know it can be done!

Good luck to you both!

 

[JazzysMom]

I think working with Lauren both in driving skills & reinforcing the laws of the state as well as your family rules is essential. My Mom didnt take me for my driving test or permit....My boyfriend at the time did. She had very minimal involvement & I had quite a few accidents & close calls for others. Nothing too serious, but too much for a young age. When my Dad died I got a car so Mom didnt have to worry about me getting to the doctors etc I could drive myself.....mind U my doctor is in NYC & we live 2 1/2 hours away. The freedom was great, but in hine sight not very responsible. I would ground my daughter for LIFE if she did a fraction of what I did when she gets her license....if I let her! LOL!

 

[anonymous]

my advice is to have Lauren read the scary articles. I took driver's ed from an ex-cop and he had all these terrible articles laying around the car for the other (non-driving) kids to read. some of the situations have stuck with me for 17 years. if she is as responsible as you say, learning what situations to watch out for on the roads will help her be a more defensive driver.

Jill 32
mom to Derek 1 1/2 w/CF

 

[anonymous]

my advice is to have Lauren read the scary articles. I took driver's ed from an ex-cop and he had all these terrible articles laying around the car for the other (non-driving) kids to read. some of the situations have stuck with me for 17 years. if she is as responsible as you say, learning what situations to watch out for on the roads will help her be a more defensive driver.

Jill 32
mom to Derek 1 1/2 w/CF