The Missing Link in Teen Driver Safety

Parents of Teens Play Critical Role in Drivers Training

SPRING LAKE, MI - Sept. 5, 2007 -- A leading proponent of teen driving safety says parents are the missing link to improving new driver safety and they need to understand that they are largely alone when it comes to teaching their children to drive. Corinne Fortenbacher, president of Rookie Driver.Net, says 32 states have little or no drivers' education requirements and that places most of the responsibility on the parent.

For years, in an effort to reduce teen driver accidents, states nationwide have been trying to improve teen driving safety by implementing tougher reforms. Yet, government statistics show that over 1,000,000 teenagers are still involved in auto crashes every year.

Most states have implemented longer graduated drivers license programs that allow more time for parents to drive with their children during the learners permit phase. Supervised parent involvement with extended learning time proves to reduce exposure to high-risk situations, according to safety experts.

One of the most overlooked components in improving safety, states Fortenbacher, is simply identifying their car with a standardized " New Driver" magnet that alerts other drivers that there is a novice driver behind the wheel. "This allows experienced drivers to anticipate common new driver mistakes," she adds.

Do kids want these symbols adorning their cars? "Probably not," admits Fortenbacher. "Inexperience is the leading cause of teen driving accidents. We must increase awareness of new drivers, and it is a parents' responsibility to insist that their child is taking advantage of every safety measure available."

"The parent must take full charge - absolute authority when a teenager begins driving," says Fortenbacher. "Today you are parents with a child. Do everything you can so you are not one of those families who has lost their child."

Insurance company research reveals that parental enforcement enhances safe driving habits. It is important to have discussions on safe driving practices, written parent/teen driving contracts and an increased number of supervised driving hours. Advanced driving courses taught by professional instructors are also encouraged.

"Experience is only gained through practice," explains Fortenbacher. "In order to minimize traffic related deaths and injuries, we must produce skilled drivers. This vital "road preparedness" ultimately falls on parents. No one can eliminate the chance of an accident, but we as parents can lower the odds," she concludes.

Rookie Driver.Net's products are designed by teens and can be found at http://www.RookieDriver.Net.

The firm has grown from a single product, launched in 2006, to a leading online provider of safety aids. Visit their teen driving safety blog at http://rookiedriver.wordpress.com/.