Parents of teens can all agree that one of the most fear-inducing moments of parenthood is watching a child drive away alone for the first time. Teenage driving is a time of anxiety for parents, and with good reason— the CDC reports that teen drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a deadly car crash than drivers older than twenty. One step parents can take to reduce car crashes is to make a mutual driving agreement, which clearly outlines safe driving habits.

How to Make a Family Driving Contract

Parents can make a formal, written pact with their teens designating the best driving practices, “house” rules, and family expectations. Just as when they were small children, teens also learn by watching parents’ actions, so the contract should apply to all drivers in the household including mom and dad. JC Demo Insurance Group offers 9 helpful tips on writing a safe driving contract:

1. Make sure the contract is written from a “we” point of view (i.e., We agree to wear our seat belts at all times in a moving vehicle)
2. Write all rules as concisely as possible (We will never text while driving)
3. Indicate how many passengers are allowed in a vehicle 
4. Specify how to react if alcohol becomes involved
5. Reiterate some of the more common driving laws
6. Suggest an expected response to an aggressive driver
7. List common distractions and how to avoid them
8. Leave room for adjustment—contract terms can change according to the family’s driving habits and that is okay
9. Agree to review the contract periodically

At JC Demo Insurance we care about the safety of all drivers, whether they are just starting out or have a few years under their seatbelt. Give us a call today for more information on making sure teens stay safe while driving.