Explanation:
1 Adolescence is a time of significant growth and development inside the teenage brain.
The main change is that unused connections in the thinking and processing part of your child’s brain (called the grey matter) are ‘pruned’ away. At the same time, other connections are strengthened. This is the brain’s way of becoming more efficient, based on the ‘use it or lose it’ principle.
This pruning process begins in the back of the brain. The front part of the brain, the prefrontal cortex, is remodelled last. The prefrontal cortex is the decision-making part of the brain, responsible for your child’s ability to plan and think about the consequences of actions, solve problems and control impulses. Changes in this part continue into early adulthood.
Because the prefrontal cortex is still developing, teenagers might rely on a part of the brain called the amygdala to make decisions and solve problems more than adults do. The amygdala is associated with emotions, impulses, aggression and instinctive behaviour.
2Teenagers with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or parent-reported “trouble staying focused” are poorer drivers and make more driving errors than their peers during the teenagers’ learning permit period. These findings are based on an analysis of survey data from a prior randomized study in which 512 parent-teenager pairs were randomized to a web-based parent-teenager driving plan intervention or a usual practice control condition for 24 weeks during the learner’s permit period and were surveyed several times, including at the end of the study period.
Of the 134 adolescents who also underwent on-road driving assessments at 24 weeks and had complete survey data, 113 (84.3%) were typically developing (TD) adolescents, 12 (9.0%) had ADHD, and 9 (6.7%) had trouble staying focused. Sociodemographic variables were similar for all 3 groups. Overall, TD teenagers did better behind the wheel than did adolescents with ADHD or those who had difficulty staying focused.
Specifically, teenagers who had difficulty staying focused were more likely than those with ADHD or TD to have their on-road driving assessment (administered by a certified driver rehabilitation specialist) terminated because the specialist had to intervene to prevent a collision, the driver violated a traffic law, or because of another serious driver action or inaction. In addition, teenagers who had difficulty staying focused received marginally lower overall driving scores compared with TD teenagers, whereas those with ADHD made significantly more total errors than TD teenagers. As for specific tasks, teenagers with ADHD made more errors during high-demand tasks and right-turn tasks compared with TD teenagers, whereas teenagers with trouble staying focused made more errors during “straight at intersection tasks.”
3 As a parent, you are the number one influence on your teen driver’s safety. Self-reported surveys show that teens whose parents impose driving restrictions and set good examples typically engage in less risky driving and are involved in fewer crashes.
Here's how to get started on shaping your teen into a safe and capable driver.
Start the Conversation Early: Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15- to 18-year-olds in the United States, and 2,082 teen drivers were involved in fatal crashes in 2016. Talk to your teens about safe driving early and often, before they reach driving age. But don’t stop there: Have conversations with the parents of your teen's peers or friends and compare notes—both are key to your teens’ safety.
Set the Standard: Talking is important, but action is even better. Show your kids safe driving behavior. Start by modeling good habits any time you drive them anywhere, even before they begin to drive. Make sure you, yourself, are turning off your cell phone and stowing it away, and buckling your seat belt before starting your car.
Get It In Writing: When your teenagers begin driving, we recommend you set ground rules and outline the consequences for breaking them in a parent-teen contract like the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Parent-Teen Driving Contract. Consider hanging your contract by the family car keys or near the front door.
Spell Out the Rules: No cell phones, no passengers, no speeding, no alcohol, no driving when tired, and always buckle up. These rules could help save your teen’s life.
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