Teen driving contacts & resources
AAA Young Driver Programs | Driving schools | Protect Teenage Drivers -- best cars | Getting your license | What to do if ... | Other driving resources
Teen driver program
The driving clinic we are featuring on WKYC is Advanced Car Control Techniques. For more information and to register for the clinic, please visit the Channel 3 page on www.carcontrol.com
Advanced Car Control also has a Parent-Teen contract for familes to read and agree to.
AAA Ohio Motorists Safety Foundation
Young Driver Programs
Traffic crashes are the number one cause of death and injury for people age 15 to 20. The Ohio Motorists Safety Foundation has a variety of programs geared toward young drivers. These programs do not involve behind-the-wheel instruction directly, but provide materials and information to help a parent prepare their son or daughter to become a safer, more responsible driver.
The Safety Foundation has a long history as a provider of juvenile driver improvement programs to local juvenile courts for young offenders. In 1999, the Ohio Motorists Safety Foundation became certified to conduct juvenile driver intervention programs for the State of Ohio under Ohio's new Graduated Driver's License law. Foundation staff members are currently involved at the state and national level in improving the quality of driver education instruction our teenagers receive.
E-mail, call, fax, or write for more information about:
- GDL- Juvenile Driver Intervention Programs are offered regularly in Huron, Lake, and Geauga counties.
- Juvenile Driver Improvement Programs (Traffic School) classes are offered each month in Huron, Lake and Geauga counties.
- driverZED - Interactive risk management training on your home computer for teen drivers available on CD-ROM.
- SADD - Students Against Destructive Decisions. Find out how students are making a difference in their schools.
There are four ways to contact the Ohio Motorists Safety Foundation:
Email: safetyfoundation@aaaoma.com or call (216) 606-6122 or (800) 845-0375 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., fax: (216) 606-6315 or write to: Ohio Motorists Safety Foundation
5700 Brecksville Road
Independence, OH 44131-1514
Driving schools
There are over sixty driving schools in Cuyahoga County alone. Most are listed in the phone book, you can click here for an online list. Check for those whose instructors have been trained by the AAA.
Many driving schools offer additional instruction over and above the 26/8 minimums. Two of those include:
Drive Team has locations at Beachwood High School, Blossom Music Center and Lorain Community College. They offer single day and two day courses, including crash avoidance. Call (330) 666-4666 or (216) 244-6897.
Overbeke Driving School owner Ned Overbeke has patented an auxiliary brake for parents to use while teaching their teens how to drive. You can e-mail Ned at driveman03@aol.com or call him at (216) 765-0600
Protect Teenage Drivers
From Consumer Reports: April 2004
The best way to keep your young driver safe is to lay down the law.
- Require that they wear safety belts.
- Set limits. Until age 18, no recreational driving from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Limit teenage passengers without adult supervision
- Encourage your teen to drive you on errands whenever possible. The more supervised road experience teens have, the better drivers they will be.
The best vehicles for teenage drivers are sedans, because they provide better emergency handling to help avoid a crash in the first place. Although small SUV's as a class are more prone to roll over, four small car based models are recommended.
Best overall cars for teenage drivers:
- Honda Accord (4 cyl.)
- Subaru Forester (SUV)
- Volkswagen Passat (V6)
Other good cars for teens:
- Mazda MPV (minivan)
- Lexus RX330 (large SUV)
- Ford Escape (small SUV)
- Mazda Tribute (small SUV)
- Toyota Avalon (sedan)
- Volkswagon Passat (sedan)
- Honda Accord (V6) (sedan)
- Toyota Camry (sedan)
- Nissan Altima (sedan)
- Mazda6 (4cycl) (sedan)
- Masda6 (V6) (sedan)
Getting your license
What to do if ...
- Responsible Driver Information: what to do if you are: skidding, hydroplaning, passing, taking curves
- What to do if you encounter road rage
- What to do at the scene of a collision
- What to do if you hit a deer
- Download a Collision Report Form
- Print a copy of the Ohio State Highway Patrol Post and keep it in your car