Teens face the greatest risk of crashing during the first year of their license. One out of every five licensed 16-year-olds will be in a motor vehicle crash.
For parents, when your teen is in the driver’s seat, you’re far more than just a passenger. Your job is to steer your teen into a lifetime of safe driving. As a team, the two of you can navigate Colorado’s laws and safety guidelines. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and injury for teenagers because they lack driving experience. That’s why your role during your teen’s first year behind the wheel is so critical.
What parents should do:
- Learn Colorado’s Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) laws.
- Enroll your teen in driver education.
- Supervise your teen’s driving.
- Set family rules and limits by creating a Parent/Teen Driving Contract.
- Impose consequences for violations.
What is GDL?
Colorado implemented Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) laws to help teenagers gain important driving skills gradually while limiting dangers by restricting the number of passengers, banning cellphone use and setting a curfew. Whereas the GDL laws aren’t always convenient for busy parents and teens, their impact on saving young lives is indisputable.
Teen Driving Resources
- AAA Colorado
- Colorado Department Transportation
- Colorado State Patrol
- Colorado Department of Revenue Division of Motor Vehicles
- (303) 205-5646
- colorado.gov/revenue/dmv
- Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
- Drive Smart Colorado