My parents went the route of teaching me to drive themselves. I started when I was 15 in the parking lot of my high school. I had practice on the dull stretches during a long-route family vacation. Eventually, they let me drive on city highways, but never during rush hour--there were some things they just weren't willing to risk.

In all of that time I spent in the car with them, I really just remember one thing. One of my parents (I don't remember if it was my mom or my dad) turned to me and said, "Laura, you are now handling a 1000 pound killing machine. We trust you, and we trust that you'll care for your life, and the lives of others when you're on the road. We do not want you, or anyone around you to be hurt if you mishandle this weapon we're giving you."

Whether or not that analogy was a little melodramatic, it stuck with me. Not to say I didn't do some stupid things as a teenage driver, but for the most part, I was extremely consciencious about how I drove. That analogy made it apparent to me how serious driving is, and how it truly can be a life-or-death situation on the road.

Good luck with all your teens out there--keep the roads safe for them (and for me)!