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are watching can actually make you a better driver, not to mention a less stressed one. Focus on the joB Distracted driving has driven collision statistics through the roof. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 80 per cent of collisions have some form of driver inattention as a contributing factor, while the RCMP reports it was a contributing factor in 110 traffic fatalities in B.C. in 2010. Young people are even more vulnerable; drivers under 21 only make up about six per cent of the driving population, yet they account for 13 per cent of those involved in distracted driving collisions. Young drivers need to be reminded to focus on the road – and not on electronic devices, eating, drinking, reading or attending to personal grooming. A good way to reinforce these reminders is to sit down with your teen and set down rules for avoiding distractions, such as turning off the phone while in the car. cram For the exam In order to pass the written test and get a Class 7 learner's licence, young drivers must first study the ICBC publication Learn to Drive Smart, which is available online at icbc.com. The next step is for parent mentors and new drivers alike to study and discuss the Tuning Up for Drivers guide, which your teen will receive with their learner's licence. Even if you're a long-time driver, you may be surprised to find plenty in the guide that you didn't know, or had long since forgotten. Keep calm Driving is stressful enough without having someone criticizing and second-guessing everything you do. If you are accompanying a young driver, it's important to remain calm and provide oversight and assistance in a non-judgemental manner. Anyone who finds it difficult to maintain their composure in these circumstances is advised to enrol their children in a professional driver education program. Just make sure you choose a school that is licensed by ICBC (check the list at dtcbc.com). drive a vehicle that Fits Learning to shift gears and winding through traffic in an oversized vehicle is problematic enough for experienced drivers, let alone new drivers with little practice at getting in and out of parking lots and navigating through intersections. It's a good idea to start young drivers in a vehicle that's a manageable size and has good visibility and an automatic transmission. It's also advisable to avoid rush-hour congestion and stick to roads with less traffic. put it in writing Once your teen has passed their Class 7 road test and earned their "N" licence, make sure they understand your expectations and their responsibilities before they hit the road solo. Consider setting up a family contract outlining house rules in line with the GLP restrictions, including the big one – no drinking or consumption of substances that impair judgement and performance. The contract should include clear consequences for non-compliance. You can download a standard contract at icbc.com/documents/family- contract.pdf n – Ian MacNeill annual average number of injured youth in crashes annual average number of youth fatalities in crashes 6,900 35 contributing Factors in crashes involving Youth: 34 % 19 % 9 % Distracted Driving Speeding Impaired Driving Ensure your teen driver never gets stuck on the side of the road by adding him or her as an Associate Member to your own BCAA Membership. Associate Memberships start at as low as $51 per year. Or, do you have kids still too young to drive? If you have a CAA Plus or Premier Membership, your children aged 15 and under get free roadside assistance regardless of whose car they're travelling in. bcaa.com/campaigns/kids-go-free MEMBERS SAVE! *Youth refers to ages 16 to 21. Source: ICBC data for 2009-2013 spring 2015 bca a .com 19

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