Most parents probably agree that driver education for teens is a good thing. The problem is that most area high schools no longer offer it during the school year. If it’s in their curriculum at all, driver’s education is generally a summer-school-only option.

That’s unfortunate. Teenagers pay the highest auto insurance rates because they get into the most crashes. In fact (not to scare you or anything), one quarter of all 16-year-olds will get into a crash or receive a traffic ticket during their first year of driving. This is true in Oklahoma and across the nation.

Why? Because teens lack skill, judgment, and experience behind the wheel. Plus, they tend to take more chances than other drivers. My 18-year-old son, Eric, explained it this way. “When you’re my age, nothing can stop you. No turns are too sharp. The excitement of all of the new privileges that you get with your first car hit you all at once and breaking traffic rules is just too easy.”

So what’s a conscientious parent to do? Luckily, there are other driving programs to knock a little driving sense into those high-risk, teenage noggins.

Commercial driving schools are popping up all across the Metro. They are required by law to provide a minimum of ten hours of classroom instruction and six hours behind the wheel. There are a number of curriculums these schools use and most, including AAA’s are pretty good.

Another option is to purchase a parent-taught driver education kit and teach your teen to drive yourself. Given the proper tools, it’s not as daunting a chore as you might think. Plus, many parents have told me they enjoy the time alone with their teen without having to compete with TV and video games. Three organizations offer state-certified parent-taught programs and yes, one is AAA Oklahoma.

These programs qualify your teen for the standard driver education discount on automobile insurance. For a 16-year-old, that insurance premium can be pretty hefty, particularly for males. The driver education discount is typically piggybacked on top of any other discounts your insurance company offers, such as good student or multi-policy discounts. Try to take advantage of all of them.

Safe Limits for New Drivers
Oklahoma passed the Graduated Driver Licensing law in 2000. The law phases-in driving privileges as the teen gains experience driving (see sidebar for details). But you can go even further in safeguarding the life of your novice driver.

Develop strict written guidelines controlling the use of the vehicle he or she will be driving. Plainly state who takes care of vehicle maintenance and expenses and where, when, how far the vehicle may be driven. Cover how many passengers (if any) may ride with your new driver. Talk about what happens if the teen receives a traffic ticket or is in an at-fault crash. You may wish to tie driving privileges to grades in school and/or doing chores at home. Both you and your child should sign and date this document.

Teenagers may or may not use trigonometry or biology but, eventually, every one of them will be driving a car. If you believe, as I do, that driver education needs to be put back into the regular school year curriculum, talk it up. Let your principal, your superintendent, and your school board know how you feel.

More Information
* Oklahoma is one of 42 states with a Graduated Driver Licensing law. Drivers with permits and those who have not taken a driver education course face some restrictions.
* Find a Parent/Teen Contract to Drive at Edmond Parents Helping Parents
* For a free copy of AAA’s Parent-Teen Vehicle Use Agreement, call 753-9777.

Where to Find Help
DRIVER’S EDUCATION SCHOOLS provide ten hours of classroom instruction and six hours of supervised, behind the wheel instruction and observation. Driver’s Education is a great thing, but it won’t reduce insurance premiums.
Alert Driving School, Edmond, 359-0700 or OKC, 948-7000. $300, ask about discounts.
American Driver Academy, Norman, 579-5700, www.NormanDriver.com. $245.
Back to Basics Driving School, Midwest City, 732-7660. $275.
Brown’s Driving School, Norman, 364-0000 or South OKC, 692-4844. $250.
Driver & Safety Ed., Inc., OKC, 843-1500. $235.
Edmond Driving Academy, 359-8655. $240, ask about discounts.
Hot Wheels Driving School, Northwest OKC, 688-9892. $200.
Putnam City Driving Academy, OKC, 722-8655. $240 ask about discounts.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING SCHOOLS are not driver’s education training, but course completion will lower insurance premiums. 95% of information is not covered in the standard driver’s education classes. Students learn how to survive on the street, maintain a proper mind set, obey the laws, and drive defensively. Parents and teens often attend class together.
Safety & Health Associates Driving School, OKC, 787-8494. $50 for six hours.

Besides helping his wife Nancy raise three children, ages 18, 13, and 11, Chuck also tries to find time to be Managing Director of Public Affairs for AAA Oklahoma. He coordinates AAA traffic safety programs as well as community relations and government affairs. Chuck and Nancy live, love, and worry about teen drivers in Edmond.