Young Drivers

What are your family rules about safe driving? One in four serious motor car crashes are with young drivers, but this is larger than the amount of young drivers out there. Young drivers only account for about 1 in 10 of the driving population.

Ontario requires drivers under the age of 22 to keep a 0% Blood Alcohol Concentration level while driving.

Safe driving is a topic for families to discuss. Together parents and youth can create a list of what they should be doing while driving and consequences if the rules are not followed.

Here are a few ideas to get the discussion going:

• seat belts
• distractions
• sleepy driving
• dangerous conditions
• drugs/medication use

Safe Travel Plan

Youth and adults agree to NOT:

• Drive while impaired with alcohol or other drugs
• Text and drive or use a cell phone and drive
• Be a passenger with someone who is impaired

Youth agree to:

• Call home for a ride at anytime with no questions asked until ready for a reasonable discussion
• Plan to call home if you need to stay at someone’s house
• Call a cab if necessary. Carry with you a list of cab phone numbers
• Watch out for impaired drivers and call 911 if necessary

Need some more ideas? 

Read and print the Middlesex London Health Unit’s Families Rule pamphlet (PDF). Make sure the rules are clear and that everyone can live with them.