The Coob County (Georgia) Teen Driver Awareness Committee has drawn up a sample safe-driving contact for teens and parents to sign.

The committee suggests using the contract to show your expectations of your teen driver, and it recommends setting punishment for breaking the contract and rewards for responsible behavior. Both should be set before hand.

In administering consequences, positive or negative, it is important to clearly communicate exactly what has been done right or wrong. Both parent and teen must clearly understand the reasons for the consequences.

Rewards could include verbal recognition, increased access to vehicle, increased privileges at home, or increased participation in weekend activities.

Consequences could include restriction or removal of driving privileges for a specified period of time, requiring adult to travel with teen driver again for a specified period of time, or requiring the driver to pay fines, repairs, or increased in insurance premiums.

1. Obey all traffic laws and regulations.

2. Whether you are a driver or a passenger, always wear a safety belt. When driving, insist that all passengers in the car wear their safety belts as well. 3. Drive defensively.

4. Do not drive another vehicle, nor permit anyone to drive your car, except for pre-determined emergencies established by you and your family.

5. Keep your family advised of your intended route, anticipated time of return, and any deviations or delays.

6. Make sure an emergency identification packet is assembled and placed in the glove compartment of your car. Include maps, emergency home and medical phone numbers, driver identification, accident report forms, a list of what to do in case of an accident, automobile registration, insurance card and policy information, and brief medical information such as drug allergies.

7. Advise other drivers in the family of mechanical malfunctions with the vehicle.

8. Keep the vehicle clean to prevent injury due to loose objects or lack of visibility.

9. Communicate needs for use of the vehicle in advance and be willing to assist in family driving "chores."

10. If you or your parent is ever in a situation where the driver is in no condition to drive, a phone call home for advice and/or transportation will be made. This call can be made at any hour and from any place.

11. Maintain at least tank of gas in the vehicle at all times.

12. Run routine maintenance checks on oil, tires, and any other items agreed upon by family members. 13. Hide emergency money in the vehicle including quarters for phone calls, in the amount of $ in a designated place at all times. If the money is used, family members must be notified and the money replaced as soon as possible. 14. Both parent and you will help to remind each other to obey traffic laws.

15. You will pay for your own gas, insurance, car maintenance, and other automobile-related expenses.

16. Your driving privileges will be expanded as driving skill level increases (for example, in the beginning, your driving privileges are restricted to daytime hours with adult supervision, graduating to more daytime driving without adult supervision, to limited nighttime driving with adult supervision, and so on.)

17. Other conditions appropriate for your family's contract.

18. Consequences will include:

19. Rewards will include:

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driver

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parent

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parent