There are some state laws that forbid a newly-licensed teen to drive alone for a year or more. During that time, there must be a licensed person in the car. They're good laws, but they may not go far enough.

Parents or older siblings should always be in the car with a licensed teen until they're absolutely certain that the teen will drive responsibly. This will not make the teen driver very happy, especially if he/she wants to drive around with friends and when going on a date. However, this should not be allowed if there is still any indication of excess speeding or other recklessness.

AAA statistics show that teens are involved in at least half of the 50,000 traffic fatalities in the US each year. Another more frightening statistic is that one of every four teens involved in fatal accidents had been drinking ... illegally, of course ... beyond the percentage level for drunken driving.

In our family, as in most others, our teens were overly eager at age 16 to get a license and start driving independently. We were pressured and pleaded with, but we upheld our state laws and didn't permit solo driving until we were satisfied our child could be totally responsible. We had some glitches, followed by lectures and few groundings, but eventually it worked out well.

Today, 20 years later, our adult children are good drivers. No, let me rephrase it. Today, our children are much better drivers than their now-uncertain, sight-and-sound-challenged parents. We no longer monitor their driving, and prefer to be their passengers. Perhaps the next serious query should be: How to ensure that your elderly relative drives safely.

Learn more about this author, Ted Sherman.
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