Whenever one gets behind the wheel of a car the process of risk assessment begins. This is why drivers look both ways before entering the roadway. The driver is determining issues of risk before taking action.

Often, the driver is also trying to determine how much risk he or she can get away with. If the speed limit is 50 the driver may be thinking about going 55, 60, or more. The driver considers the choices and the likely consequences thereof. The process is quick and based upon prior driving experience.

Parents have driven much more than their new teen drivers. Parents have driven in all seasons, driving conditions and roadways. They are keenly aware of collisions and their aftermath from personal experience or through the experience of family or friends. As such, they base their risk assessment decisions on years of these experiences. This is totally unlike a new teen driver though.

Of concern about the teen driver is lack of judgment. This means that teens do not have the same depth of experience on which to base their risk assessment as more experienced drivers. Hence they may make poor decisions. Add heightened emotions or impulsive thinking and judgment can be further impaired.

Lack of experience and lesser judgment is not often recognized by teens. They cannot see what they never had or are yet to develop. They cannot appreciate their lack of experience and as such will argue that they are as fully capable of assessing risk as older adults.