Seminar available for parents of teen drivers

Parents of teen drivers will have the opportunity this month to learn ways to best introduce their new drivers to the road.

Dale Wisely, who is the director of student services and community education for Mountain Brook Schools, will present his “Parenting the Teen Driver” seminar at the Mountain Brook Board of Education office on Wednesday, Jan. 13.

The free seminar, which will take place from 9–10:30 a.m., will cover how parents should talk about driving with their teen, as well as steps they can take to keep teens safe on the road.

Wisely has been doing workshops for parents on teen driving for 15 years, and gives this particular seminar a few times throughout the year in Mountain Brook and the surrounding area.

He said the workshops cover major data about teen drivers, and the high risk they face of being in an accident.

“Unfortunately it’s probably either the No. 1 or No. 2 cause of death among teenagers,” Wisely said, adding that the only other cause of death that ever tops automobile accidents is substance abuse.

Wisely said he offers parents several tools to help with keeping their teens safe, including a contract that both parent and teen sign that outlines specific driving rules and agreements.

“Part of my argument is that driving a car is actually a very complicated task,” he said. “A lot of parents kind of short hange their kids in that regard,” adding that many parents feel they are too busy to give their teen enough practice behind the wheel.

Information about what the workshop will cover, as well as more tips from Wisely, can be found at parentingteendrivers.com. 

To register for the Jan. 13 seminar, email studentservices@mtnbrook.k12.al.us or call 877-8349.