Attention Host Parents:  Your counselor will most likely talk to you and your au pair about driving in the U.S.  She may even have a handout for your au pair about safe driving - and that is great!  If she doesn't, print this Top Ten Safe Driving Tips sheet for your au pair and initiate a conversation with her about driving and use of the car. 

Allowing your au pair to drive one of your cars is not a mandatory part of the program, but a privilege that she needs to respect.  Giving her guidelines will keep her focused on deserving that car while she is with your family and will help keep her and your children safe! 

Make sure she knows where all the insurance and registration cards are kept in your car and give her “what to do”  instructions if she gets into an accident.  Remind her to remain calm and check the children to make sure they are okay.  Tell her to always report an accident and be on the alert for dishonest drivers who may try and take advantage of her naïveté and drive away without sharing his insurance information (it has happened before).

Top Ten Safe Driving Tips for Au Pairs

1.  Speeding:  Always observe the posted speed limits!  If you are from Germany, you may have a "heavy foot" meaning you are accustomed to driving fast.  Don’t speed!  Speeding tickets are very expensive and your host parents will be upset because their insurance rates may go up if you get a ticket.  You are responsible for speeding tickets, and fines can be between $100-$400 and more, depending on how fast you were going.

2. Passing:  Do not ever pass another car, no matter how slow they are traveling.  Most towns in America have much more traffic on their roads compared to even 15 years ago and passing is dangerous.

3. School Buses:  Never, never pass a yellow school bus when it is stopped and flashing its yellow or red lights!   This is the law in 50 states to protect school children who are getting off the bus and crossing the road.  If you break this law, you endanger children’s lives and can get arrested, lose your license and end up paying a very steep fine. 

4. Passengers:  Do not ever pick up hitchhikers or invite other people in your host family's car, especially when driving the children.  This is dangerous and your host parents will become very upset if they find out you did this. 

5. Seat Belts:  It is illegal to drive and not wear your seatbelt - it is also against the law to allow passengers to ride with you unbelted.  Always belt in the children.  Using seat belts saves lives and you should always obey this law!

6.  Cell phones (mobiles):  It is illegal in many states here in America to use a cell phone while driving.  Do not use your cell phone - if you get a call that you think is important (you expect a call from your host parent), pull over where it is safe and well off the road, park and call them back.  You will get a ticket if a police sees you talking on the phone while driving.  

7. Car Accidents:  If you get into a car accident, remain calm.  You should call the police (911) and report it immediately.  Make sure you are okay and check any passengers - if anyone seems hurt, call 911 and tell them to send an ambulance.   Look around for a cross street so you can tell them where you are.  Don't let the other driver talk you into taking money for damages or letting you leave without collecting their insurance information. 

Report any accident to the police (call 911) so they can write up any damages for your host parents' insurance company and let them handle the other driver (who may be angry, dishonest or threatening).  

Make sure you have all the necessary documents ready for the police:  your license, the car registration card and the insurance card (these last two items should be in the glove compartment of the car right in front of the passenger seat).

You may need to take a few refresher courses in driving safety - here is a great link that helps you study to get a driver's license in your state: http://www.quia.com/de/

8. Car Maintenance:  Some host parents expect their au pair to take care of the car given to them - oil changes, checking air in the tires, etc.  Make sure you have a conversation with them about these different tasks.  If they say they will handle maintenance on the car, remember to be appreciative and keep the car tidy:  clean the car weekly, vacuum and take out garbage, run it through the car wash at least once a month, keep the gas tank full in the winter and keep it looking spiffy!  The way you keep the car is a reflection of who you are as a young adult - don't disappoint your host parents.

9.  Tailgating:  One of the most frequent accidents my au pairs were involved in was hitting a car from behind!  The au pairs were driving much too close to the car in front of them and when the traffic slowed, the au pairs would ram the car in front of them. This is called "tailgating,” is against the law, and worse, the accident is always your fault!  When ever you hit someone from behind, even if they slam on their breaks, you are usually found at fault.  This means you have to pay for any damages.

Most young people tend to drive too fast, are in a hurry and, as a result, tailgate the car in front of them!  You have to leave a car length between you and the other car for every 10 miles an hour you are traveling  - can you say you do this?  Probably not, but next time you are driving, get into the habit of leaving space between you and the car ahead!

10. DRINKING AND DRIVING:  Under no circumstances should you drink and then get into a car and drive.  American society is against drinking and driving and we prosecute violators very harshly - you can get heavily fined or serve jail time. If you are caught, your program will fire you and send you home.  Au pair programs have a Zero Tolerance Policy against driving under the influence of alcohol or any drug that impairs your ability to drive where one time you violate this law, you are gone (there are no second chances).

Drinking and driving can maim and even kill, so please do not drink and drive, ever.  Call your host parents to get a ride home before you put that key in the ignition!  They will appreciate your maturity and honesty.