How far do you let your almost 18-year old drive by themselves?

[Mandychelle79]

This is true. They have pushed the legal driving age up by these laws to keep the 16 yr old safe and the people safe from these 16 yr olds. Wonder if the accident rate has now increased for the 18-20 yr old bunch now that they have less experience driving.

Ok looked it up so no one else needs to tell me about the wonders of google Yes the rates dropped for the 16 yr olds but increased for the 18 year olds...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11261/1175583-454-0.stm

 

[FINFAN]

If she goes to that college, isn't she going to have to drive herself there? Why not let her take a test run? If there's a sudden snowstorm, what would she lose for not going? I think you're overthinking.

I drove from Buffalo to Toronto (another country!) many times in high school. I also drove myself from Buffalo to Wall, SD at 18 the summer after freshman year of college - two days of driving. I also drove myself to and from college south of Minneapolis, too.

If she knows how to check her oil and change a tire (or how to call AAA), I see no reason to be so nervous if she is a competent driver.

This is what I was going to suggest...a test run. I know gas isn't cheap, but if you or your DH can do a test run it may be worth it for your peace of mind,not to mention it gives you the chance to check out the town/things you mentioned on your own schedule which is nice.

 

[ILoveToRun]

Plus, if the weather is that bad, maybe she can grab a room somewhere or find somewhere on campus to stay.

 

[EllenFrasier]

Since you cannot get the day off to go with her, does she have a friend she can take along? I would feel better if my dd was not alone on the drive. When I was 18 I and a friend took my niece with us to go see my relatives in a neighboring state 4 hours away. We got lost twice. We never got here until 10pm! No cell phones then, we had to find a pay phone to call my Uncle and ask him #1 "where are we" and "how do we get to your house"? Turns out, the second time we were lost we were only about 10 minutes from his house and he came to the 7/11 we were at and we followed him back to their house! Good times... I would not have wanted to be alone during this trip though - then it would have taken on a whole new meaning.

 

[MickeySP]

I agree get her a GPS & an extra charger. I would keep a closes eye on the weather for your own peace of mind.

It is hard but sounds like a great opportunity. My DS drove from Boston to the Tribeca Film Festival - he had a great employment opportunity in what became his major in college. I was a wreck the whole time but so proud when he arrived home intact

 

[roxysmum123]

At 18, I was driving from our home in Ontario to Vermont, about an 8h drive with a border crossing. I'm a very natural and confident driver though, and you can be sure my younger sister would have never been allowed to do that.

 

[clh2]

Op again

She can't take a friend (the event is for accepted seniors) plus she is already missing a day of school. While she will be staying on campus on the sunday night - she would not be able to get a hotel for MOnday night. DD is only 17. And - you can bet your life she travels with a Garmen (she has the best one in the house) and I wouldn't dream of her not having appropriate cell-phone chargers. (And she knows that if she is ever caught talking/texting while driving...the !@!#$% will hit the fan.)

I wouldn't want her changing a tire on the side of a freeway - nor would I want to do that either, which is why we have a AAA membership.

She will not be taking her car to school as a freshman. Actually - she won't be taking it to school until she has a specific, legitimate need. (Yes - I am hoping car insurance will drop somewhat - it is part of my college savings plan)

So - again - I think in our circumstance - this will be a mother/daughter trip. I'll have to suck up and burn a PTO day. DD will get to drive (there and back).

Thanks everyone!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

When I was 16, I drove pretty much anywhere I wanted, as long as I was home that night (my parents didn't hold me to the 9:00 PM cut off in NY at the time). After I graduated high school (I was 17), my parents just asked that I keep my phone on and let them know if I was planning to not come home. I took multiple trips to Toronto, Montreal, Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, etc when I was 17, either with friends or by myself.

I know a scary event happened, but you shouldn't use that as the basis for your child, base your decision on their maturity and driving ability. Personally, I'd let her go it alone, it's part of letting your child go and to be an independent adult. Sure there are risks, but this is an easy thing to let go of, there are much harder ones to come.