Peer Pressure

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Fitting in is important to teens. As your teen establishes their own identity, they may listen to their friends more than they listen to you. And their friends may not always have the best advice about driving. What can you do? Help your teen mentally rehearse difficult situations in advance. And let them use you as the "excuse" when standing up to peer pressure.

Mentally Rehearse

When teens get caught up in the moment, sometimes they make the wrong decisions. Mentally rehearsing can help them make the right ones. Talk to your teen about different situations involving driving and peer pressure. For example: If you are late for a movie and a friend calls to tell you to hurry up, will you speed? Or, What if someone asks you to drink and drive? Help your teen plan out their responses in advance – so they can make smarter driving decisions.

Using Parents As an "Excuse"

It can be hard for teens to say "no" to friends – especially when the crowd is going along. Let your teen know it’s ok to use you as the "excuse" when peers pressure them to make bad decisions. For example, saying "My parents won't let me," or "If my parents find out, I won't be allowed to drive" helps teens save face with peers.