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14 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • August 2016 First, familiarize your teenager with the road. While an adult is driving, ask questions about road signs, speed limits or traffic laws. Be a good role model and obey all road signs and speed limits — monkey see, monkey do. "Drive where they are comfortable. Just because the adult thinks it is an easy road or task does not mean the student does. They will improve when they feel confident. Not every student is the same," says Vinnie Osso, owner of Pick Osso Driving School located in Fredericksburg. "Be patient and put the driver in as many posi- tions to have success as possible. This will allow them to trust you and they will be more likely and open to start driving on more difficult roads and take constructive criticism." Second, make sure that your teenage driver is alert and ready when driving. Teenagers need more sleep than adults, at least nine hours a night. A lack of sleep can lead to impaired response time or distraction from the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, most crashes involving young drivers are caused by inexperience, risk-taking behavior, high-risk situa- tions, alcohol and/or drug use and not wearing a seat belt. According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, motor vehicle acci- dents are particularly high in the first years that a teenager is eligible for a driver's license. Preparing your teenage driver for the unpredictability and responsibility of the road is a difficult task. However, proper preparation can help your teen become a safe driver and reduce the number of car acci- dents in the United States. WRITTEN BY KELLY MORRISON PHOTOGRAPHS BY STEPHANIE JOHNSON Preparing Your Teenage Driver for the Rules of the Road 1 2 "Drive where they are comfortable... They will improve when they feel confident. Not every student is the same"