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Next, enforce seat belt safety.
In the C ommonwealth of Virginia, the law
requires that seat belts be worn while the
car is in motion. If there are any passengers
in the car under the age of 15 without a seat
belt on, the driver can be cited for a ticket.
If the driver is pulled over for another issue
and is not wearing their seat belt, another
citation can be issued, according to the Department of
Motor Vehicles. Seat belts can save lives, an importance
that should be stressed to all new drivers.
Further, enroll your child in an
accredited in-car training class.
There are several around the Fredericksburg
area to choose from.
"In Virginia, the student needs at minimum
45 hours of practice driving with a licensed
driver before taking Behind the Wheel. Each public school
offers a 36-hour classroom training course that comes
with a booklet. The booklet has a 45-hour log and a par-
ent/teen driving guide that gives good step by step train-
ing advice for taking out beginning drivers," says Osso.
"Obviously the driving can't be started with the adult until
the student has obtained a valid Virginia learner's permit
at DMV."
Lastly, consider enrolling your
child in a defensive driving course.
According to the Department of Motor
Vehicles, completing a defensive driving
course may enhance your driving skills and
knowledge, make you a safer driver, remove
points from your driving record and reduce
your auto insurance rates.
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4
5
...most
crashes
involving
young drivers
are caused by
inexperience,
risk-taking
behavior,
high-risk situations,
alcohol and/or drug use
and not wearing a seat belt.
...most
"
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