Did you know that vehicular crashes are now the No. 1 cause of death among young adults. The Florida Sheriffs Association are working to change that. They created a new statewide driving program that challenges young adults to improve their driving: The Teen Driver Challenge.

Teen driver challenge courses are now available, licensed teen drivers ages 16-19 can participate in the class. There is a $50 deposit due at the time of registration. (The deposit is refundable once the course is completed.)

To sign your teen up for the class, visit this site.

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Download the Teen Driver Contract (PDF)

Don't rush the training process. If you do, you risk putting your teenager in a situation beyond yours and your teenager's abilities to handle.

"Know what you want to do" before you and your teenager begin a practice session. Tell your teenager what the two of you will practice.

Encourage your teenager to give you feedback. Make sure your teenager feels comfortable trying what you plan to practice.

When you give your teenager driving instructions, use a calm tone.

Never wait the last minute telling your teenager what you want he or she to do.

Be specific. Never point with your finger and say, "let's go over there". Instead, say to your teenager, "when you reach the next traffic light, turn right into the supermarket's parking lot". Don't expect your teenager to read your mind.

Source: DriveHomeSafe.com

Street driving... Once your young teen driver demonstrates control over a few fundament skills, go the next step driving low-traffic pedestrian streets, and roads.

Destination driving – supermarket, church, high school, movie theater... As your young teen driver's skills progress effectively managing traffic, practice driving to locations he/she is likely to frequent or visit. By the time your Teen Driver is ready to drive solo, going to these destinations will be familiar.

Freeway driving... At some point your Teen Driver is going to drive on freeways at speeds equaling and exceeding 55 miles per hour. Judge how ready your teenager is to take this next step. Freeways are dangerous to drive when inexperience, especially entering, and exiting them.

Map driving... Here, you and your Teen Driver can practice the finer points of driving, which include following a map and driving in areas somewhat unfamiliar. Teach your young teen driver where to safely stop for directions to reach a certain destination. Have him/her do it a few times.

Night street driving... It is one thing to drive in the daylight, it is another experience to drive at night. Basically, your Teen Driver’s training sessions start over. But this time at a different level of risk and skill level required.

Situation driving... Simulate and role play real life driving situations your Teen Driver will encounter. In these sessions, you will carefully introduce to your Teen Driver distractions, tensions and temptations to learn resisting, and managing. For instance, pretend being a peer-teenager. Talk about how your teen driver should manage the situation.

Self-Direct... In this section you will probably have the most fun as Parent/Coach. The goal is to build your Teen Driver’s base of experience with hours of unstructured driving. Have your young teen driver chauffeur you on errands; judge whether your young teen driver can join the rotation driving on longer trips.