In a bittersweet rite of passage, each year a new crop of parents buckles up for their teens’ first time behind the wheel. Now, a new study suggests that their mother’s watchful eye helps teens learn to make safer decisions while driving.

In the study, researchers designed a driving simulation test that actually encouraged risk-taking behavior, and asked 25 teens to complete the simulation as quickly as possible. At each of the 26 intersections in the simulation, the teens had the option to stop for a yellow light, which would cause a three-second delay, or speed through the light — which was the fastest option — if they didn’t crash. If they did crash, it caused a six-second delay in their total time. The teens went through the course once each on their own, and once under the gaze of mom.

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