Here in the UK, MOST people learn primarily with a fully qualified instructor rather than their parents.
Martin Pearson
Bad driver? Blame your parents
By: Drivers staff
Date: Tuesday, 16. February 2010
Comments (16) Join conversation
In our recent article "Bad Driving Genes" we reported on research by University of California neurology professor Steven Cramer and his discovery of a gene variant that affects driving behavior.
Now we've uncovered another piece of research from 2003 that explores the same theme.
In this study by two researchers at the University of Helsinki in Finland 174 parent-child pairings were independently given a questionnaire about their driving behavior. The results indicated that the children's behavior had a lot to do with their parents.
The study allowed for differences in lifestyle, demographics and amount of driving. This ties in with other research on the subject and also with a follow-up study indicating that if parents paid more attention to their teen's driving and monitored some restrictions (how many friends in the car, speeding, time of driving, etc.), the teen had fewer problems with behind-the-wheel behavior.
Hint to parents: drive the way you want your teens to drive. Of course that presumes that the parent knows the difference between good driving and bad.
That's a tall order for parents who have never been exposed to education and training in the art of driving. We all think we're good drivers, but that can be a dangerous presumption when it comes to guiding your teen through those perilous first years behind the wheel.
In our resources section we have an excellent GUIDE FOR PARENTS booklet. This was written based on advice and guidance from 30 top instructors with many thousands of hours of experience training both novice and experienced drivers.
The booklet is free and in a format that can be printed out. The comments on the booklet are interesting too. There are over 160 of them from both parents and teenagers.
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All Comments (16)
Showing 1 - 16 comments
Martin Pearson, on Thursday, 08. December 2011 at 11:37 AM
Richard Miller ADI, on Friday, 04. November 2011 at 04:37 PM
The guide for parents is a great, I'll be giving out some of that advice myself.
www.richard-miller.co.uk
Fitz, on Wednesday, 14. September 2011 at 04:09 PM
I put somewhere between 60-70k miles on the road a year. No accidents and last ticket was 13 years ago when I was driving 100k. No I am not a truck driver. Am I a good driver, maybe. But see that's the attitude difference because I know that the next time I get into a car I could have the big one and maybe the last. I have taught both of my daughters how to drive, so far successful and safe drivers. The problem is that I have found that the school instructors are bad drivers then the state says the parents have to do their part and if they suck, well there you go. The answer you can instruct at school or as a parent as long as you are certified by the state based on your performance which includes miles. And if you don't driver very much you can't be an instructor.
Driving Instructor, on Tuesday, 28. June 2011 at 03:56 PM
We all know there are variations between individuals so you would expect variation in responses so stop blaming parents.
nj driver, on Tuesday, 17. May 2011 at 07:41 PM
I totally agree. That's why we have more and more bad drivers on the road because I saw those bad drivers with their kids in the car. The bad drivers who are parents just don't realize this point. I just saw a man with 3 kids in his car heading to YMCA. HE RUSHED THRU A STOP SIGN WITHOUT PAUSING. It was my turn after I stopped but he WON because he didn't stop. It's too dangerous and rude. Those three kids will copy the bad behaivor and become THREE bad drivers in the future. His license plate is NJ MUL-34G. Keep away from him.
Eileen, on Friday, 04. March 2011 at 04:23 AM
If parents were to pay for post test education such as Pass Plus, that would also help - http://www.eileensom.co.uk/passplus.html
Nick, on Friday, 25. February 2011 at 05:34 PM
Not sure I blame the parents - more society as a whole
http://www.sheffielddrivingschool.org.uk
Brandie, on Tuesday, 22. February 2011 at 02:04 AM
Great article... here are some coupon code in case any of these bad drivers decide on signing up for an online traffic school course
http://www.trafficschools123.com/forums/traffic-school-coupons/
Florida Drug And Alc, on Wednesday, 08. September 2010 at 03:43 AM
In many states of US, teenagers get their Learners Permit at the age of 16 which results having more teenage drivers in US.Teenagers are most dangerous drivers when compared to young adults and older drivers.Many statistics shows that teenagers met with more accidents and get killed in road mishaps due to DUI.
- http://www.tlsae-course.com
Florida Drug And Alc, on Wednesday, 08. September 2010 at 03:43 AM
In many states of US, teenagers get their Learners Permit at the age of 16 which results having more teenage drivers in US.Teenagers are most dangerous drivers when compared to young adults and older drivers.Many statistics shows that teenagers met with more accidents and get killed in road mishaps due to DUI.
maryk, on Friday, 03. September 2010 at 02:43 PM
According to a survey released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fewer Americans are drinking and driving, but one in six drivers are driving while on drugs during the weekend. The data was released from a survey conducted in 2007....
http://www.IdiotsTrafficSchool.com http://www.FreeTryTrafficSchool.com http://www.DummiesTrafficSchool.com http://idrivebetter.com http://coast2coasttrafficschool.com http://trafficschoolplace.com
newbie, on Tuesday, 27. July 2010 at 11:59 AM
All these gene business is fine but at the end of the day you need to conform to rule and regulation, whicch are there for the benefit of all of us.
Bola, on Saturday, 03. April 2010 at 09:28 AM
This article gives credence to the theory of Bandura on the influence of modelling behaviour on children.
Thuso, on Wednesday, 17. February 2010 at 03:47 AM
This is a very interesting phenomenon. May be the question is "Do we have hope for the future generation if old dogs can't be taught new tricks?"
I think let's try using children in changing parents' driving attitudes. That way the battle can be won in the future generations.
Dan, on Tuesday, 16. February 2010 at 01:20 PM
It happens a lot. They're acared, so you have to prove you'e not scary.
The GUIDE FOR PARENTS booklet above will definitely help
kerry, on Tuesday, 16. February 2010 at 12:20 PM
are there any articles about moms delaying driver's licenses?
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