Turning your teen into a safe driver
Giving your teenager, keys to the car is filled with anxiety for parents. You not only fear the way they will drive the car, but also how the other road users will drive while your teen is on road.
There are several steps you can take to prepare your teen for the hazards of driving so you'll feel a little more at ease with them behind the wheel.
Parents should look for professional driving schools in their area, which will get your teen on the right path to becoming a safe driver. You would be best served by experienced driving instructor , as parents don't always have the time or patience for many hours of driving instructions - a professional does, and your teen is more likely to listen to a driving instructors.
Driving education gives new drivers a good foundation and grasp of skills in order to cut down their risks behind the wheel and aids in developing safe driving habits and how to distribute time, improve visibility and minimum space from hazards while in traffic. This is important as teens face hazards which their parents did not face- eg use of phone.
To provide both you and your teen with a framework for setting and enforcing effective rules, it's a good idea to create a written Parent/Teen Driving Agreement. According to research, teens whose parents limit initial driving privileges (like driving at night or with other teenage passengers) are less likely to engage in risky driving, get speeding ticket, and have crashes.
A good way to accomplish safe driving habits is the "driving contract." This is a list of rules that teens promise to obey while operating a car, and can be catered to each family. An example of a contract would be:
- Always wear your seat belt (drivers and passengers)
- No drinking/drug use - Driving under the influence is one of the leading causes of fatalities in car crashes. The contract should clearly state that teens are not allowed to drink and drive or be a passenger in a car with a driver who has been drinking. Tell your teen that they can always call, no matter what time of the night, and you will pick them up if they encounter this situation.
- No driving with friends - Experts feel that teens should not be allowed to drive with friends or even younger siblings in the car for the first six to 12 months of getting their license. This cuts down on distractions, such as loud conversations, horse playing, or trying to show off.
- New drivers will let their parents know exactly where they are going and when they are coming home.
- Curfews - Limit nighttime driving for new drivers.
And last, but certainly not least, practice what you preach! Children mimic your behavior, so if they see you driving safely, they will more than likely follow your example.
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