Safety tips for you and your teen driver.
They grow up fast. Just yesterday they were making their first wobbly steps and today you shop for their first car insurance. All parents have mixed feelings about their kids driving. On one hand, they become more and more responsible young adults, on the other, we worry about the number of growing auto crashes among the teenagers.
So, we take precautions – we spend a lot of hours by their side, while our kids practice their driving; we make sure they know the traffic laws; we talk and teach our young drivers about the importance of the seat belt and the dangers of drunk driving. Unfortunately, very often we forget the way we behave behind the wheel with our kids watching us; we also forget the way we were in that age.
Here’s a few driving habits to correct and improve both for you and your child:
Do not use cell phone, iPod or MP3 player when behind the wheel. Teenagers do not have a lot of driving experience and focusing on a texting does not help the matter;
Do not drive drowsy. Falling asleep behind the wheel is as dangerous as driving drunk. Kids are so busy with the school, extracurricular activities, homework; some are even working part time. They are exhausted. Offer to give a ride to school or pick them up from work;
Do not speed. Teens see you do it (if even occasionally) and will do the same when behind the wheel. The problem is they do not understand it’s much easier to lose control of the car on a high speed;
Let your child have only one friend in the car. Some states have passed the law which requires new drivers to have limited or no more than one young passenger. If you live in a state that’s not one of them – make your own rule. Teens want to look cool, so they are more likely to do or allow their friends do things they would not when driving alone. Friends create distractions: goofing around, messing with the radio and tempt the driver to take risks;
If your child gets a ticket or a fender bender – make him or het to take responsibility and pay for the mistake. Spending their own money will make them more careful next time.
Educate your child about the driving today. Do not threaten them or raise your voice while driving beside, instead calmly remind about the speed limit or a sign. Praise their good decisions. And most importantly be a great example.
