Kelly Barrera

With more and more teen drivers hitting the road, our authorities, agencies and law makers are working on several initiatives to keep them safe. Car crashes remain the number one cause of death for the teen years. Add the fact that studies have statistically shown that teen drivers are more likely to engage in some form of distracted driving, many parents and guardians worry about their teen's safety.

Working in the driver safety field for over a decade, I find myself giving parents both solicited and unsolicited advice. I am passionate about teen driver safety, not only because I was a teenage driver at one time and made irrevocable mistakes along with many of my friends, but also because I am a parent who is concerned about my own teen drivers and their friends on the road.

So you've just turned 15. Hopefully by now you've convinced your parents into allowing you to get your Learner's Permit so that you can start practicing behind the wheel. But what's this? You need to take a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education Course, first?

Getting your driver's license can either feel like getting the golden ticket to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory or hearing Spider-man's-Uncle-Ben-"Great powers, great responsibility" speech. While driving may be fun and makes life a lot more convenient, it does have great responsibilities attached to it.

Determining how fast a moped or scooter is traveling is difficult. They are also smaller, difficult to see, and appear farther away than they really are. Maintain your scan of the road to ensure you are aware of their location and continually check your blind spots. Expect the unexpected and prepare to react by always keeping plenty of space around your vehicle.

The chill is in the air. Orange is the dominant color and kids are beginning to think of their plans for October 31st. Before you go out shopping for costumes and buying bags of candy this year, spend a few minutes planning the night ahead for a safe 2009 Halloween. Halloween is on Saturday this year, so expect the festivities to begin early in the day and prepare to be a defensive driver. If you can, avoid driving on Halloween.

Whether the loved one survives a vehicle crash or not, time will be marked by “before the crash” and “after the crash.” The feeling of being carefree before the crash changes to somberness after the crash. Family and friends will feel the impact for some time; with every motor vehicle crash they see or hear about, they will remember this particular time. As they continue to function in their day-to-day lives, they are forever altered; time dulls the shock and pain, but never erases it.

Your teenage daughter is spending the night at her friend Mary's house. Mary's mother seems to be a responsible, law-abiding adult. You've met her several times and there is no reason for you to think anything would go wrong. Mary's dad is involved in charitable organizations. Still, you hesitate - but then think, why not?

So Your Teen is Having Some Friends Over to "hang Out." Your Teen Wants You to Provide a Movie, Snacks, and a Six-pack of Beer. Should You Do It? Some Parents Do Provide Teens With Alcohol, or Simply Look the Other Way When Their Teens Drink, Espousing a "kids Will be Kids" Attitude. Some Parents Think That if the Teen Only Drinks Alcohol in Their Own Home, the Parents Will be in Control of the Amount Consumed.