More
tips for parents of teen drivers
Here
are some tips to make your teen a better and safer driver. Use them to reduce
your teen’s risk of a fatal accident.
· Discuss
Safe-Driving Habits While You Drive. Talk about any
safety hazards that you observe while driving, such as downhill speed,
neighborhood areas with children playing, construction zones, etc. Use the time
you spend driving your teen places to make her a better, more cautious
driver.
· Invest
in an Additional Formal Driving Class. Who said that after one
driver’s ed class and a test your teen is ready for everything he will encounter
on the road? Have your teen take another formal driving class, preferably not
one in a classroom but behind the wheel. This will give your teen the needed
experience to be the best driver he can be. It will also greatly reduce your
teen’s risk of a collision. These classes are usually inexpensive, but don’t
hesitate to pay a little more because your teen’s life is more than worth it.
· Pick a
Safe Car. The car your teen drives could save her life. Pick a car
that is reliable and in good working condition and one that has received good
crash test scores. Always inspect brakes, tires, seatbelts and other systems
before buying a used car. For more on information, see the related article,
“What’s Your Teen Driving?”
· Let
Your Teen Drive You. As soon as your teen receives his driving permit let him
drive you to appointments, the grocery, church, mall, school, etc. This way
your teen will receive as much supervised driving experience as possible before
he receives his license and is able to drive alone. Keep in mind that
experience is the best teacher.
· Don't
Overreact While Your Teen is Driving! It is
very important not to yell at your teen while she is behind the wheel.
Upsetting yourself and your teen adds stress to the already stressful situation
as well as increases the chance of an accident. Studies have proven that
emotionally upsetting conversations compromise driving capabilities and
increase driver distraction. Calmly talk with your teen at home about the
mistakes or problems you noticed while she was driving. However, if your teen
does something too dangerous you may want to ask her to pull over and let you
drive.
· Share
the Cost and the Responsibility. Driving is a privilege,
not a right. Have your teen share the responsibility of paying for insurance as
well as other driving expenses (i.e. gas). It will not only teach your teen to
be responsible, but it may also improve your teen’s driving habits.
· Don’t
Let Your Teen Drive with Teen Passengers. Studies have shown
that teen drivers who operate a motor vehicle with teen passengers are three
times more likely to die in a fatal accident. Having other passengers,
especially teens, greatly increases driver distraction. Don’t let your teen
drive with teen passengers until he has had his license for a long time and has
demonstrated responsible safe driving habits.
· Constantly
Remind Your Teen Driver. Don’t worry about
annoying or nagging your teen, it is extremely important to always remind your
teen of the dangers of driving. Your repetitiveness is the key to your teen’s
memory. Always tell her never to drive under the influence of alcohol or any
drug or ride with another driver who is under the influence of any substance.
Assure your teen that you will gladly pick her up with minor repercussions
because of her mature decision (calling you instead of driving drunk).
· Occasionally
Ride with Your Teen. Even after your teen receives his license ride with your
teen once in a while to assess his driving skills. Don’t make it obvious that
your teen in being observed or tested. The first years of driving are when the
majority of bad driving habits begin. Remember that the first few years of
driving will affect whether or not your child will be a safe driver for life.
Avoid being a backseat driver but do point out mistakes to your teen. Try to
talk to him as an adult.
Your
parental involvement in your teen’s driving experiences is the best way to
ensure that he will be a safe driver. Safe driving habits are the best defense
against accidents and fatalities.