If you have noticed your teen practicing dangerous driving habits, don’t worry; it’s not too late! You can still help them to be a good safe driver. There are two levels of bad driving habits. Level one habits are ones that your teen does subconsciously; they are ones that can be easily corrected. Level two habits are habits teens choose to do because they get a benefit, such as talking on a cell phone while driving – the benefit is talking to a friend. Level two bad habits are more serious and more difficult to correct.
LEVEL ONE• Failure to adequately check blind spots
• Forgetting to signal • Jerky movements • Sloppy turns • Inconsiderate of other drivers on the road (i.e. refusing to let other cars change lanes or merge into traffic flow) • Backing up the car without turning head to look thoroughly behind |
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Changing Level one bad habits is relatively easy. It is simply a matter of being reminded. Your teen probably isn’t even aware they are doing these dangerous habits. Focus on immediately changing all of the Level one habits. Your teen is not likely to resist changing these habits because there is no perceived benefit. If you constantly remind them with verbal reminders and notes, they will develop the correct safe habit. Also, while you are driving your teen, point out how to correctly do something you know they do wrong. Say something like, “Whenever you plan to make a left-hand turn onto Main St. you always need to start signaling when you see the yellow sign, this way the people behind you will know in advance that you will be turning.” Saying it like this doesn’t seem like criticism to your teen and they will remember ‘signal at yellow sign.
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LEVEL TWO• Speeding
• Not wearing a seatbelt • Tailgating • Talking on the phone while driving • Accelerating through yellow lights • Failing to reduce speed in potentially hazardous zones such as neighborhoods, construction zones, ect • Playing loud music |
Changing Level two habits is more difficult because your teen chooses to do them because of a perceived benefit.
Your teen is more likely to be defensive or be in denial about these bad habits. Deal with the Level two habits one at a time. Look at your teen’s Level two habits and narrow them down to the most dangerous one.
Steps to Changing Level two Bad Habits:
The rewards and penalties should vary depending on the severity of the bad habit. You want to pick a meaningful reward to use as leverage to persuade your teen to stop doing the bad habit. Once they have corrected the bad habit or haven't done it in a long time give them the promised reward. (For example, give your teen gas money, allowance, let them go on the spring break trip, keep their part-time job, etc.).
Also, use various penalties each time your teen is caught practicing the bad habit. (For example, if your teen continues to blare their music, disconnect their stereo, or if your teen continues to talk on their cell phone while driving, temporarily confiscate it or even cancel the plan. Another possible penalty is taking away certain driving privileges such as driving at night, etc.). Remember to take on these bad habits one at a time, so you don’t overwhelm your teen with negativity.
Your teen is more likely to be defensive or be in denial about these bad habits. Deal with the Level two habits one at a time. Look at your teen’s Level two habits and narrow them down to the most dangerous one.
Steps to Changing Level two Bad Habits:
- Identify – Be aware of the bad habit(s).
- Isolate – Focus on the worst bad habit.
- Motivate – Motivate your teen to stop doing the bad habit.
- Change Behavior – Correct the behavior by using a combination of:
- Positive Reinforcement - Rewards
- Negative Reinforcement – Penalties
The rewards and penalties should vary depending on the severity of the bad habit. You want to pick a meaningful reward to use as leverage to persuade your teen to stop doing the bad habit. Once they have corrected the bad habit or haven't done it in a long time give them the promised reward. (For example, give your teen gas money, allowance, let them go on the spring break trip, keep their part-time job, etc.).
Also, use various penalties each time your teen is caught practicing the bad habit. (For example, if your teen continues to blare their music, disconnect their stereo, or if your teen continues to talk on their cell phone while driving, temporarily confiscate it or even cancel the plan. Another possible penalty is taking away certain driving privileges such as driving at night, etc.). Remember to take on these bad habits one at a time, so you don’t overwhelm your teen with negativity.
It’s not too late to change your teen’s bad habits; help your teen reduce his risk of a preventable accident.
