Safe summer driving tips for parents of teen drivers

Summer is the most dangerous season for teen drivers. With the arrival of summer comes riskier teen driving behavior. No school means more time for cruising, too many passengers, late nights and tired drivers.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is the deadliest for drivers ages 15-20.

Parents should talk to their teens about summer driving and set some rules. Here are a few tips to help get the conversation started:

Buckle up. Always remind your teenager how important the single click of a seat belt can be. Statistics show that seat belt usage is lowest among teenagers, even though seat belts continue to be proven as the No. 1 life-saving device in crashes.

Don’t drink and drive. You may assume your teen knows this, but it's worth a sit-down talk. Make sure your teen knows the dangers of driving under the influence – or getting into a vehicle with someone who's been drinking.

Don’t speed. Make sure your teen leaves early for summer activities so that they are not tempted to speed.

Avoid distractions. Remind your teen driver to avoid distractions such as texting, loud music and any activities that take their eyes away from the road for extended periods of time.

Take a drive. Is your son or daughter driving friends to a summer concert? Tell your teen you will drive the route with him or her to make sure they know exactly where they’re going.

Passenger limit. Always set a limit on the number of passengers allowed in the car.

Set a curfew. Make sure your teens know when you expect them home, and make sure they know it's not debatable. Visit www.ghsa.org to see if your state has Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) laws which restrict night time driving for newly licensed drivers.