[Michelle68]

A little background on this...my DD is 18 years old and has learning disbilities and because of this she started driving late, around one year ago. The vehicle she drives is in our name and so is the insurance since she won't be able to get a job until after she finishes school (earning a certificate in Culinary Arts). School is tough enough for her without requiring her to work while she's attending full time. She is actually a very hard worker in school, but it's also extremely difficult for her.

She had one wreck about 6 months ago which was her fault. She turned left from a 4 lane street, didn't see the person coming up in the far left lane going the opposite direction because of a person turning left from the first lane and hit the other vehicle. Thank goodness no one was seriously injured. Well, today was her first day going back to school, new semester and all. She was on her way to junior college, had entered the freeway and had switched to the second lane on her left. Somehow , her car and a truck collided. It was a very minor accident and she swears it wasn't her fault. She says the guy was talking on a cell phone and was driving in the lane to the left of her. Suddenly he swereved into her lane. Her driver's side mirror was torn off and there is a large scratch/dent over his right back tire. He was driving a truck belonging to the school district he works for and, of course, he claims that it was my DD's fault, that he was already in her lane and she switched lanes and hit him. (He said this after first telling me he was in the third lane over, then he turned and asked my daughter what lane she was in. She said the second lane over and he said, "Oh yeah, I was in the second lane. You must've switched lanes without seeing me.":hmmm: )

Anyway, I'm just glad no one was hurt, but now I'm scared to death to let her drive anymore. I've driven behind her once when she didn't know I was there and she really does drive very slowly and carefully. In fact, our neighbor was once behind her also and made the comment that she was such a safe driver. DH and I were talking about it this evening and he's wanting to drive her to and from school from now on and let her drive just around our area. (Her college is about 15 miles away.) I'm thinking that her lack of experience is what works against her for the most part.

Have any of you guys had teenage drivers in the house and what would you do if you were in my shoes?

Thanks in advance for any advice.


--Michelle

 

[ubumartin]

I know your pain!!! Unfortunately my DD almost 17 had her first accident, her fault, no one was hurt thank God! We have twin girls, the insurance is ridiculous to begin with. We paid insurance for them, bought an old jeep. We are waiting for the cost to repair the jeep and hopefully we will get it repaired as it is a great STRONG vehicle and I think it helped them walk away without any injuries as she hit a Dodge truck. They are good drivers overall but they lack the experience. It was an accident and they happen but I am making her pay for some of the cost and also pay the difference once we get surcharges. It will be significant as we live in Massachusetts. I don't even want to know what the bill is going to be. I had accidents also when I was young and unfortunately one three years ago. I just want them to understand that we will not just keep getting vehicles for them and paying for everything. She is a good kid so I will let this one go but I don't think I could handle another one. She is going to be restricted and no senseless driving as this one happened leaving the MALL at 8 last Sat. night.

 

[Michelle68]

The idea of having your daughter help pay for everything is a good one. We'd do the same if DD had a job. As it is, we give her around $10 spending money a week and if the insurance company doesn't find fault with the other driver or if it's decided that both are at fault, I think we'll have her pay for the new side mirror. Like your DD, our DD is a good kid. She doesn't really go out, so the only driving she really does is to and from school and maybe to the store now and then. Part of me thinks that if we really limit her driving then she'll never get the experience she needs but then another part of me says," Yikes! :yikes:She's had two wrecks in a year. " I'm just not sure what the best solution is. Thanks for your response and sharing your experience, Ubumartin.



--Michelle

 

[JustJoy]

My SD will be 17 in March and still doesn't have her license. She is just way to immature. She is a major space cadet and also has ADHD and a host of mental & emotional problems. She is finishing up driver's ed this month and will be getting her license soon after, I'm sure. DH is freakin' ..... not only for her safety, but for the safety of others on the road. SD lives with her mother, so it's pretty much up to her about the driving priviledges.

 

[miss_thrifty]

Glad she's Ok and no one was hurt.

 

[Mom23boys]

I feel your pain. Our DS#1 had a wreck right after graduation. He totalled the car and it was his fault as there were no other cars involved. The car was in my name and he was on our insurance. We made him pay for the insurance premiums and any deductibles that were to be applied. Thankfully he did have a job at the time. After that accident, he ended up doing damage to the car I drove at the time. UGH! I was terrified to let him drive anything else after that. We eventually came around and let purchased him another car to drive.....don't ask me why. Call us stupid I guess, but we had to learn to trust him again. We gave him another chance and he has done good ever since. I think sometimes teens get nervous and unsure of themselves. As they mature more, I think their driving skills get better.

I am glad your daughter is ok. Hopefully the insurance company will find fault with the other driver.

 

[Michelle68]

Thanks for all of your responses, it's nice to know there are others who have been through the same thing. We have to get the side mirror fixed on the car definitely before we let her drive it again. Poor DH will be taxiing her to and from school until that happens. I think you hit the nail on the head, Michelle, when you said teens get nervous and unsure of themselves. I can remember being a new driver and all the mistakes I made just from inexperience.


--Michelle