Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among teens. Research shows that drivers under the age of 20 are more likely to exhibit behaviors such as distracted driving that contribute to accidents. In addition, inexperience, lack of maturity, alcohol use, speeding, talking to friends and texting all exacerbate the problem.

The NHTSA website has many resources to help parents ensure to the best of their ability that their children stay safe on the road. Please visit nhtsa.gov/Teen-Drivers for resources and more information. In addition, you should contact your insurer to see if it offers specialized teen training programs, which have been proven effective in teaching teenagers how to become safe, responsible, adult drivers. A side benefit is that these programs may also lower your auto insurance rates.

Other technologies exist to assist parents in keeping tabs on their teens when they're solo behind the wheel. Through the use of GPS in the vehicle, or via smartphones, such equipment can facilitate good driving behavior. Though few teenagers would like to admit it, some of these devices and technologies can keep them on track: NHTSA data show that teens, without a parent in the car, are less likely to buckle up and more likely to speed or text. Ultimately, it’s up to parents to decide whether their teens should drive alone, based on the level of trust and responsibility they've exhibited prior to driving, but here are some available devices and services should they be needed:

• Cell phone companies' GPS locator plans such as Sprint’s Family Locator and AT&T's Family Map can tell you where your kid is - assuming their phone is with them.
• “Black boxes” equipped with GPS record driving data and location history for later download. Two companies, Alltrack USA and Safeco (teensurance.com), offer such devices as well as online tools that can help train better teenage drivers.
• Downloadable apps for some smartphones will lock out the phone’s ability to do anything but accept calls from pre-programmed numbers or dial 9-1-1 if the phone is moving at a speed that indicates it’s in a vehicle.
• DriveCam.com offers a small onboard camera that can record risky behavior. Though it requires a subscription fee, some insurers will help offset the cost of this. Visit drivecam.com/our-markets/family for more details.
• Check with your city or town to see if it offers bumper stickers displaying a hotline that a citizen can call to report a teenage driver who is operating a vehicle unsafely.

The government is now involved in the implementation of mandatory graduated driver licensing programs at the federal level. Though many states already have such laws, this would require all states to consistently comply. The Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act (STANDUP) stipulates that teen drivers in every state must have a learner’s permit for a minimum of six months, and at least an additional six months after that with a restricted license. An unrestricted license would be available only to drivers 18 years or older.

In states where this program has been implemented, statistics have shown a dramatic reduction in teen deaths for the least-experienced drivers - up to a 40% reduction, according to the bill’s sponsors.