[smoak]

I understand wanting the air bag so I guess the Mustang is the way to go then. If that is the case, DO NOT FIX IT PERIOD. There is no reason why you should, unless you are getting rid of it. She is going to do this again, even if it is not "her fault." I think the lesson to be learned is how she plans on dealing with these incidents, despite her fault. I mean, if some joker backs into your ride and leaves, do you automatically make a claim, I hope not. No, you might actually fix it yourself or pay for it to be fixed. This is a lesson she needs to learn right away. Things have value, the value is typically paid for with hard work. A life's lesson that is lost on many of her generation for sure.

Next lesson, attentiveness during driving. I would take the fuse (not telling her of course) from her radio and tell her when she goes a certain time frame, the radio will work again. Same goes for cell phone. Put her on some kind of no phone in the car law. Check on this to make sure she is abiding. Call her from unknown numbers, see if she will answer. If she uses the phone in the car, this is a HUGE distraction for anyone much less a 16. She can't handle the distractions.

Does she have friends in the car when she drives? Remove them right away. Tell her, no more friends. They can get hurt too with her inattentive driving. This is also a lesson she needs to learn. When she goes a certain time period, viola friends can climb back in. She will feel stupid when friends ask for a ride, but will learn that other people can be hurt her actions too.

Take her driving again immediately. Watch her back up, park, all that. Is she using mirrors. Paying attention. Don't comment while she is doing it. Take notes like a driving instructor, unless is life threatening, don't say bad stuff and comment on the good stuff. Give her the bad stuff when you are done.

She is 16. This aint over by a long shot. If she gets it by 18 you are lucky. I certainly wonder if my wife does sometimes. Best of luck.