Teen driving safety: a calm, practical guide

The first months of driving alone are when new drivers are most at risk — and when parents worry most. You can’t sit in the passenger seat forever, but you can help build habits that last.

The risks that matter most

Road safety organisations consistently point to the same factors for inexperienced drivers:

• Speed — especially on unfamiliar roads.
• Phones — texting or scrolling, even at red lights.
• Night driving — reduced visibility and more tired drivers on the road.
• Passengers — friends in the car increase distraction.
• Seat belts — every trip, every seat.

Write a driving agreement

A short written agreement makes expectations clear. Include:

1. Phone goes on Do Not Disturb while driving.
2. No passengers (or only one) for the first months.
3. Home by an agreed time on weeknights.
4. Call for a ride — no questions asked — if they or the driver shouldn’t be driving.
5. When restrictions will be relaxed, and how.

Use trip summaries as a coach, not a camera

In AI Family Locator, each trip gets a short summary — distance and top speed — plus a weekly driving report. Used well, that’s a conversation starter:

• Look at the week together, not trip by trip.
• Praise steady, calm weeks.
• If you see a high top speed, ask about the road before assuming the worst.

Pair it with arrival alerts

An arrival alert when they get home means you don’t need to text while they’re on the road — which is exactly what you want.

Lead by example

Teens copy what they see. Put your own phone away while driving, wear your seat belt and stick to limits.

Get started

Set up a family circle, agree on the rules together, and let the app take some of the worry out of those first solo drives.