Children learn by imitating their parents -- from tying their shoes to cutting the grass. Youngsters also adopt parents' attitudes. The old adage to "Do as I say, not as I do" just doesn't work.

If you talk to your teen about obeying the speed limit and then rely on your radar detector to keep from being caught, you're telling them it's okay to speed if you don't get caught.

The same goes for rolling through stop signs and accelerating on a yellow light. Or refusing to yield the right of way to a car or pedestrian. And face it: you're never going to get kids to use seat belts if you don't buckle up!

Attitude is as important as specific driving skills. Maybe you can beat the odds while you ignore good driving habits, but your son nor daughter has neither your experience or judgment. Ignoring the rules of safe driving is never acceptable behavior. Don't just pay lip service to good driving; set the example.