OUR CHILDREN NEED TO KNOW WHATS EXPECTED OF THEM! The #1 thing that we can all do to ensure that our children our safe both on and off the road is to set boundaries. We all try to raise our children to make good decisions, but things happen that are sometimes out of our control AND theirs... teach them to be a "defensive" driver instead of offensive.. and that its just as important not to allow a friend to drive drunk as it is for them not drive under the influence!

Here are some tips to help be proactive and hopefully help your teens to drive safely when the get their license:

1. although drivers ed courses now typically require some 20 hours or so driving time with a licensed adult before taking the test, remember that this is a minimum! allow your teen to drive as often is possible with you, even short trips to the store and such, let the be your "chauffeur"! REMEMBER, most accidents happen close to home!

2. try if at all possible to allow your child to do his/her "practice" driving with you, using the car they will be driving by themselves later on.. there's a big difference between driving a sedan and an suv even to those that have experience driving!

3. if at all possible, try to limit the amount of passengers your teen has in the car with them while driving, more people can equal more attention to whats going on inside the car and less attention as to what is going on outside of it!

4. good old fashioned rewards for good behavior never go out of style! just like "privileges are earned not given" doesn't either..when the son of a friend of mine got his license and then a car a week later, her husband disconnected the stereo (as to not take his focus of the road) but promised to purchase a new stereo and speakers up to $300 after 6 months, barring so much as a parking ticket! he DID keep his promise!

5. restrict your teens driving during moderate or severe weather conditions.. this goes especially for kids who may get their license, say a week before the first snow of the season! if there are new weather conditions, they need a little more driving time with you during these conditions!

6. if at all possible, your teens first car shouldn't be a fast sports car.. contrary to what you may think, it's not going to teach them responsibility, driving safely is a responsibility, it's only going to tempt them to drive faster.

7.they used to show films in drivers ed of horrific accident footage, now I'm not saying that showing a

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