Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/472984
18 bca a .com spring 2015 iStock D o you have a teen in your family who can't wait to get behind the wheel? You'll be relieved to know that B.C.'s graduated licensing program (GLP) has helped reduce the collision rates for young people negotiating that hazardous on-ramp to full driving privileges. Part of that success can be credited to the way in which the program mandates mentor involvement. Of course, more often than not, those mentors are parents just like you. Here are some ways you can help make the learning journey more valuable for your teen, and less stressful for you. Be a good role model A few years ago, a UBC study revealed what most people already assumed – that children grow up to drive like their parents. Research in the U.S. confirms that young drivers with parents who rack up tickets and get in collisions tend to rack up tickets and get in collisions themselves. Luckily, it's never too late for parents to moderate their driving habits and become good role models. Obvious examples include obeying the rules of the road, but less obvious are the messages passed on about driver attitude: road rage and aggressive driving can be deadly, not to mention the fact that they make driving less enjoyable for everyone involved. Reminding yourself that your children Road School What you should know before you decide to teach your teen to drive Young Drivers: Fast Facts annual average number of crashes involving youth 260,000 33,000 48,000 annual average number of crashes in B.C. Number of learner's licences issued in 2013 to b.c. youth TIP! To learn more about safe driving, visit bcaa.com/ road-safety roadside TIP! To learn more about safe driving, visit bcaa.com/ road-safety roadside