The car accident attorneys of Hardy, Wolf and Downing know that all parents want to keep their children safe. This often becomes more of a challenge during the teen years, when teens spread their wings and gain more independence.
Fortunately, one of the best and most important ways parents can keep their teenaged children safe is by educating them about safe driving behavior. But teens read and send text messages 26 times more often than their parents believe they do.
It is vitally important for parents to discuss the dangers of distracted driving with the teenagers. The Maine Car Accident Attorneys of Hardy, Wolf and Downing have prepared a sample Parent-Teen Driving Contract to encourage Maine families to begin having open, honest discussions with about safe driving behaviors.
Remember: Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers. Our experienced Maine Car Accident Attorneys have seen far too many precious lives lost to automobile accidents. We want to encourage our clients to sit down with their teenaged children and educate them about the dangers of distracted driving. Parents, know that your teens watch everything you do behind the wheel. If you text, eat, apply makeup and talk on the phone while driving, studies show it’s much more likely that your teen will engage in the same risky behavior. If you want your teenagers to be safe behind the wheel and avoid risky, distracted driving, practice what you preach! Don’t model bad behavior yourself!
Take time to discuss safe driving habits with your teen. Fill out this Parent-Teen Safe Driving Contract with your teen, and remind them how much their safety means to you.
Sample Parent Teen Driving Contract
In the state of Maine, it is against the law for teens to use cell phones (handheld or hands-free) while driving or to text while driving. (See DISTRACTION.GOV for further information.)
Parent’s Initials:__________ Teen’s Initials:__________
Are you aware that traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers?
Parents initials:__________ Teen’s Initials:__________
Are you aware that in addition to texting and talking on a cell phone, personal grooming, talking to passengers, eating, using a GPS, changing music, or any other behavior device that takes your attention from the road is a serious distraction and is a violation of Maine distracted driving laws?
Parent’s initials:__________ Teen’s initials:__________
I understand that if passengers are allowed in my vehicle, I must set rules for their behavior. If their behavior distracts me from the road, I will pull over and not drive again until their behavior has improved.
Parent’s initials:__________ Teen’s initials:__________
I will not drive if I am under the influence of alcohol or drugs or ride in a vehicle with someone else who has been drinking or using drugs.
Parent’s initials:__________ Teen’s initials:__________
I will not drive if I am too tired or mentally or emotionally unprepared to drive safely.
Parent’s initials:__________ Teen’s initials:__________
If I do not adhere to these rules, I agree to lose my driving privileges for ____________________________ amount of time.
Parent’s initials:__________ Teen’s initials__________
Maine distracted driving attorneys at Hardy, Wolf and Downing provide our blog as a service to our clients. They are meant to be purely informational. If you or a loved one has been in an accident or has been involved in a crash as a result of distracted driving and would like a free consultation with a personal injury attorney, please call our firm today at 1-800-INJURED to start understanding your legal rights.