DR. WALLACE: I'll be 16 in two weeks and that means my parents will allow me to date a guy who has "wheels." They made me promise that when I go out with a guy, I will only go out with someone who is not a "speed freak," and who is known as a safe driver.

Are there significant driving clues that separate good, safe teen drivers from those who could be considered reckless drivers? — Bonnie, Madison, Wis.

BONNIE: Auto crashes cause more teen deaths than any other source so your parents are wise in encouraging you to be selective when choosing a guy to bring you home safely after a date.

Psychologists at the University of Southampton in England conducted a survey because they wanted to identify risky teen drivers so they could help young women make good choices when dating a guy. I know you will use the following information to help keep you safe and sound while enjoying an evening with your favorite guy.

1. The accident-prone driver is most often a male. In 81 percent of all fatal accidents involving teen drivers, the driver was male.

2. The male teen driver thinks that good driving means having fast reflexes.

3. He uses speed to impress his buddies and his dates.

4. He had a strong desire to drive long before he received his driver's license.

5. He spends a lot of time working on his vehicle.

6. His driving reflects his moods. When he's angry, he drives recklessly.

7. He will drag race with anyone who offers the challenge.

I HAVE A NEGATIVE PERSONALITY

DR. WALLACE: In the past year, four respected adults, two teachers, a Sunday school teacher and a friend's mother have mentioned that it appears that I have a negative personality. It really hit home when I asked my one and only best friend and she told me that she was really tired of my negative outlook. She gave me examples and I was totally surprised to discover she was right.

My main negative trait is putting down everybody, including my best friend. I guess I did this because I had a low self-esteem and when I found faults in others, it made me feel better. I have had a long and self-evaluating discussion with my best friend and, with her help, I will do everything possible to look for the good in others, not the not-so-good.

Writing this letter is good therapy for me and the beginning of the "new me." After I feel comfortable being the "new me," I'm going to try to convert my dad to become the "new him." I love him dearly, but he has something negative to say about everybody. I'm sure his negativity rubbed off on me. He is a Chicago Cubs baseball fan and they might make the playoffs this year, but all my dad ever does is complain about their lack of hitting, lack of pitching or that they make too many errors. — Nameless, St. John, Ind.

NAMELESS: Recognizing that a problem exists is the first step in eliminating the problem, so you are well on your way to being the "new you." You are correct; habitual negativity toward others points to deep insecurity about your own worth.

Another tactic to use in your effort to overcome negativity is to do your very best to find something nice to say about everyone you meet. I know that this can, at times, be a challenging task, but a very rewarding one.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.