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The simple fact that you are reading this article is proof that you care enough about your child to want to keep your teen safe. The question is, do you care enough about his or her safety to keep your teen on a tight leash until such a time as he or she proves to be worthy of more freedom?

Even the most mature and trustworthy teens can become filled with a sense of entitlement if they are given generous or unrestricted use of the family car. Worse, a teen who is entirely conscientious by herself can make poor choices when taxiing a bunch of friends to a school dance or the movies on a Friday night. On the other hand, as a parent, you may feel a great deal of pressure to allow your teen to use your vehicle because "all the other parents do it!"

I say, make no apologies for being old fashioned. The extent to which your teen's friends' parents are enjoying the loss of their own vehicles is probably highly exaggerated! Guaranteed, there are few parents out there who wish they had been more strict about rules for the new driver in the family and many, after much hardship and loss, wish that they had been more strict.

If you love your teen, you will:

1) Teach them that driving is a privilege and not a right. When they are making good decisions they can be rewarded with more access to the family car. When they are making poor decisions, they should be cut back.

2) Help them understand the serious financial commitment involved in owning and maintaining a vehicle. By all means, teens should be expected to pay their portion of insurance coverage on the family vehicle as well as their own fuel costs.

3) Insist on knowing exactly where they are going with the car, who they will be transporting and insist that they communicate with you about any deviation in the plan. It's amazing how quickly a trip to the library can turn into a social expedition.

4) Check. There is no dishonor in ensuring that the odometer reading matches the planned use of the vehicle. If there is extra mileage on the odometer then someone has some explaining to do!

5) Reserve the right to say no! It's your car (which is replaceable) and your child (who isn't!). If you are uncomfortable with the length of the trip, destination, road conditions, or number or character of the people being transported, exercise your veto authority.

6) Reward. Responsible use of the vehicle should result in an easing of restrictions and increased use of the vehicle.

Having to keep such close control need not last forever, but it should last until such a time as you are confident that easing restrictions will not compromise your teen's safety or the safety of others.

Learn more about this author, Russell Dawson.
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