GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - Experts say responsible parenting, when it comes to teen driving, is about a lot more than simply knowing car maintenance basics or the standard rules of the road.

It’s about getting lots and lots of practice before driving solo.

11 News steers parents through the hazards of teen driving in this 11 News Special Report: Seat Time.

Before 19-year-old Josh Barnes got the green light to start driving, his parents went over standard driver safety, then when the extra mile. “A snow-covered parking lot or something like that and just tell him to get loose and learn how to handle his car. Especially being here in Colorado and we've got so many different elements,” says Josh’s dad, Rick.

They also encourage him to take his car to the racetrack, a controlled environment where he learns the limits of his car and can start to understand the dynamics of driving.

“I know my car better and I know my skills way better,” Josh says. “I know what I can do and what my car can do and I can adjust to whatever I need to.”

But not all kids are as road-ready. AAA reports one in three parents don’t think their teen driver is ready to drive unsupervised on the highway. And one in five don’t feel their teen is ready to drive alone in the rain, but they’re not stopping them.

“Most of 'em are just kinda biting their knuckles whenever wintertime hits... and are paranoid for their kids out there on the road,” Rick says.

Not a surprising stance when car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in this country.

“This is the only activity that your kids are going to do all the way to the latter part of their life. But it's like a joke,” says Mike Rossi, owner of the Western Slope Driving Institute.

He spent nearly two decades as a Denver Police Officer. He’s seen his share of tragic teen accidents that could have been avoided.

“May not seem like a lot, until that State Trooper knocks on your door and you have to get in the back of their car and they take you to the morgue and you have to ID your son or daughter,” Rossi says. “Then it's one too many. Then it's not funny. Then you're sitting there thinking maybe I should have paid more attention to my son or daughter's driving.”

That same AAA survey says people learn complex tasks, like driving, by doing, not watching. “They've been great passengers for 15 years. Now put them in the driver's seat and let them drive,” Rossi says.

Rossi says there’s an easy way for parents to shift their teen from passenger to driver. “Be as involved in their son or daughter's driving as they are involved in their son or daughter's football, basketball, baseball, gymnastics,” he says.

Being involved in your teen’s driver education can pay off for your wallet, too.

“There's a lot higher statistics for youthful drivers for deaths and injury thus their rates are higher,” says Todd Brock, a State Farm Agent. “And so coming out here [the racetrack] and getting practice and understanding what to do if it gets sideways it's better in a safe environment like this than out on I–70.”

Brock sells insurance to teen drivers and their parents, and this father of two will tell you taking his sons to the track and putting them through driving school are among the best things he can do to keep them safe.

“Spend a lot of time with them in the car. Don't just do the minimum hours and then turn them loose on their own,” he says.

Experts say your teen will thank you for the extra effort. Nicole Roach is just days away from her learner’s permit, but she’s already a student at Mike’s driving school. “If they're driving with a parent, and their parents teach them, then they might be prepared. But this class is really, really good.”

While track days and driver’s ed may not be affordable for all parents, the time they spend with their teen behind the wheel is invaluable. “The parents have to have that involvement and show the kids that they truly want them to understand the task of operating a motor vehicle,” Rossi says.

And as Josh is learning, it’s no easy task. “To really show them how to drive a car, not just tool around in the streets and learn the signals. But learn how to drive a car, if it understeers what to do and if it oversteers what to do. Learn how to drive the car safely and effectively” he says.

Putting your teen in the driver's seat in all conditions is the best way to teach them how to handle those conditions in the safest way possible. AAA offers some additional tips for parents:
–Ensure ample practice in all driving situations: night, bad weather, heavy city traffic, rural highways and busy interstates.
–Share your driving wisdom to help your teen spot dangers that aren't obvious and to see the big picture. Parents should use 'I' statements, explaining what they would do in critical situations, so teens will be more likely to listen and remember.
–Teach teens to drive defensively, be wary of other drivers and anticipate the unexpected things they might do. For example, "Even when I have a green light, I always glance both ways to make sure other cars are stopping, because sometimes they don't."

According to the Colorado State Patrol, the leading causes of teen driving deaths in Colorado are:
–Not wearing a seatbelt
–Exceeding a safe speed
–Alcohol/drug impairment
–Inattention to driving
–Lane violation
–Driving while drowsy

Colorado State Troopers offer the following tips to teen drivers:
–Always wear your seatbelt, as either driver or passenger
–Observe and obey the speed limit
–Consider the road conditions and lower your speed
–Never drink and drive
–Pay attention to the road, not your cell phone, passengers, radio, etc.
–Get plenty of sleep before driving
–Know and observe the Graduated Drivers License (GDL) Laws that apply to you

And Colorado State Patrol tips for parents of teen drivers:
–Educate yourself on the Graduated Drivers License (GDL) Laws that apply to your teen
–Enroll your teen in a driver education class
–Set a good example with your own driving
–Emphasize to your teen the importance of making safe driving choices
–Let your child know you care about them and want to be their partner in safe driving
–Click on the links below for more information about teaching your teen to be a safe driver.

More information from State Farm about how teen drivers affect car insurance.
Things parents should keep in mind when it comes to insuring their young driver:
–Plan Ahead. Insurance rates usually increase when you add a teen driver to your policy. Give your agent a call to find out how much so you can budget accordingly.
–Talk to your teen. Let them know that safe driving matters and that their driving record affects your insurance rates.
–Research. If you're buying a new car, consider which ones are the safest and the best fit for a new driver.
–Add coverage. Extra protection, like a Personal Liability Umbrella Policy (PULP), can kick in if damages exceed your coverage limits.
–Find out which discounts are available. Depending on where you live, you may qualify for new discounts, like the Good Student Discount.

The transition between supervised and solo driving is scary for parents and dangerous for teens. When your teen is ready to get behind the wheel alone, make sure you set and review house rules before trips in order to avoid risky situations, especially in the first six months of driving.

Place limits on situations that increase risks, such as:
–Carrying multiple passengers (for at least the first six months of licensure, no passengers under 25 should be allowed without an adult present.)
–Driving in poor weather.
–Driving on certain roads.
–Driving at night (driving alone after 10 p.m. should not be allowed until after the first six months of independent driving.)