There are several causes of car accidents, but reckless teenage drivers are a main one. Too many teenagers neglect important safety measures as soon as they are behind the wheel.

Reckless fast driving, unsafe passing techniques and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are the most common causes of teenage car accidents, along with driving while talking on a cell phone.

Talk about your concerns and the causes of automobile accidents with your teen. This is one more focus of conversations that are important to have with your teen. Explain that there are many causes of wrecks including weather, reckless driving, speeding, drinking, drug use and road rage.

Because teens are inexperienced drivers, they are more likely to make mistakes, use poor judgment and/or have trouble reacting to sudden changes.

Make clear-cut rules about driving with your teen. For beginning drivers, the rule is to not have passengers. Obeying this rule is one source of safer driving. Not having someone to talk to while driving helps a teen pay attention to what he or she is learning to do.

Consistency is key

Keeping this rule and others you set is the hardest, yet most important thing a parent can do. Parents need to be consistent, consistent, consistent. If parents don’t follow through on a rule, it’s the same as having no rule at all. For our teens to feel safe, they need to know they can count on parents to be dependable.

If your teen breaks a rule, you need to make sure there is a consequence. Most teens will test limits so make sure you are consistent.

Don’t let the small things go or they will become large things. Most parents do this from time to time, and it doesn’t work well.

Follow through on what you say you will do. If you tell your teen his driving will be limited if you find him letting others ride with him, be sure to follow through and limit his driving.

From time to time, enforcement may not work. Only parents who consistently enforce their rules will have their rules consistently followed. This is true for any kind of rules you expect your child to follow.

Keep in mind that the way you are driving has a tremendous influence on how your child is likely to drive. Your teen is more influenced by you — for better or worse — than by any other force in his life. Take a close look at the lessons you are teaching.

Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and former executive director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which published newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents.