CINCINNATI, Oct. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- This year thousands of parents will face the challenge of determining whether their teen is ready to get behind the wheel. In honor of National Teen Driver Safety Week (Oct. 20 -26), Tag N Go™, providers of a technology-based safe driving system, has partnered with the Driving School Association of the Americas (DSAA) to develop a list of top safety tips for parents of teen drivers.
Dave Muma, administrative vice president of the DSAA, reminds parents to assess several factors when they think about driver education readiness. "It's important to think carefully whether your teen is ready physically and mentally, and even emotionally for the challenges of driving a motor vehicle.
For those concerned parents, Muma offers his top five safety tips.
- Assess your teen's emotional maturity. Does your teen have a history of exhibiting good social awareness and avoiding risky choices? Parents should consider whether their teen is regularly concerned for others and how their behavior impacts others, as well as how he or she evaluates risk in other settings, such as sports activities. Without these important emotional skills, the teen may not be mature enough to drive safely.
- Choose a quality driving school. Schools are often chosen by convenience or price, but it's important to look for one that is also a member of, or accredited by, a professional association such as the DSAA and has a strong teaching curriculum. DSAA-member schools have endorsed the Novice Teen Driver Education and Training Administrative Standards, which were developed in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and other leading national road safety organizations.
- Use technology-based coaching tools. There have been significant innovations in safe driving technology. Tools like Tag N Go let students, instructors, and parents get real-time feedback about the teen's driving skill, speed and location. Instant digital feedback helps teen drivers identify areas to improve and provides a way for both parents and instructors to have ongoing data-based conversations with their teens about their driving skills.
- Head to the optometrist. An annual eye exam will ensure your child's vision is 20/20. Small vision issues may not have a big impact on everyday life, but are very important for seeing road signs, other drivers and obstacles while driving.
- Provide a safe, reliable vehicle for your teen to use. As a minimum, consider a mid-sized vehicle that has the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest rating of "good" in its crash tests.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, accounting for more than one in three deaths in this age group. "We want our loved ones to be safe. Our mission is to give students, parents and driving instructors the tools and resources they need to develop safe driving habits that will last a lifetime," said Frikkie Koen, co-founder of Tag N Go.
To learn more about Tag N Go, go to www.tagngo.com. For more information about the DSAA visit www.thedsaa.org.
About Tag N Go:
Tag N Go is a complete GPS safety system designed for private vehicle use. Developed to provide freedom for teens and peace of mind for parents, when the Tag N Go unit is installed in a car, it provides up-to-the-second vehicle location, speed, mobile alerts and DriveScoreTM, the safe driving report card. A full suite of driver information is available in real time from any smart phone, tablet or PC. The Tag N Go system is available at Driving School Association of the Americas schools across the country. For more information, visit www.tagngo.com.
About Driving School Association of the Americas:
The Driving School Association of the Americas is a not for profit 501(c)3 Corporation, established in 1973 to help reduce traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths through competent and professional driving instruction. The DSAA serves as the voice of the professional driving school industry and partners with other organizations and government agencies involved in the development and delivery of effective traffic safety programs, campaigns, and regulations.
SOURCE Tag N Go
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