One of the leading causes of death for teenagers is vehicular accidents. About 25% of these accidents involve teenagers. Although teenagers learn driving through driving schools, parents should take part in guiding them to practical and safe driving practices. Usually, statistics say, good drivers are made and molded by experience, just as teenagers earn more experience when they sit with their parents while driving. A study shows an alarming rate of 40% of teenagers who shared that they have exceeded speed limits. For teen drivers, or for any driver at that, safety should be priority. Here are a few driving tips that might help.

*Limit distractions while driving. This is a key factor in driving safely because there are several distractions that can grab a driving teenager's attention. Most commonly, it is their cell phone. According to experts, using the cell phone while driving is as lethal as driving drunk. There are other distractions that teens should avoid, including the use of iPods, putting on makeup, eating food and even talking to their fellow teenage passenger.

*A teenage driver's "maturity" should be ensured. Not all teenagers mature at 16 so it is not necessary that your teenager should get a license the moment they just become eligible. They could get their license if you think that they are mature enough to have one.

*Naturally, parents are looked up to by children as their role models. A lot of teenagers see their parents drive recklessly; hence, when these teenagers learn to drive, they get to follow these improper driving habits. It is difficult to tell your teenager to drive carefully when you are not doing it yourself.

*Just because teenagers are issued with their drivers' license doesn't make them expert drivers. It is important, therefore, for parents to stay involved in their teens' driving activities, which is tantamount to encouraging and educating good driving habits, and in effect lowering the risks of driving accidents. Driving rules should be set by parents and consequences should be presented if teens tend to break the rules. Discuss with your teen the importance of limitations. What's also good about this is that you get to spend some time with your teenager.

*Teach your teenager to have ownership in the cars they are driving. Let them pay a portion of the maintenance, gas and insurance. If the teenager shares the cost, they tend to take care of their vehicles because they see it as cost on their end if the vehicle is not properly maintained. If the car is safe, the drivers will be too. Additionally, it would be good for them, although not entirely necessary, to learn the basics of maintaining their vehicles, such as changing of oil, and clutch and break maintenance.

*A lot of teenagers drink nowadays so it is not safe for your teenager to bring their car in a social event even if they say they have a designated driver. Chances are the designated driver will have a couple of drinks as well when they are at the party. Instead, offer to pick up your teen after the event. It is much better to lose some sleep than lose your child.

Though teenagers often perceive driving as a "fun" thing, it is definitely beyond that. It is a responsibility, which translates to keeping oneself and car passengers safe and sound throughout the whole trip.