The statistics are staggering: 33% of teen deaths that occurred in 2010 happened in motor vehicle accidents, 16-year-olds have higher crash rates than drivers of any other age, and 56% of teenagers admit to talking on the phone while driving.
While a driver’s license is a rite of passage for many teens and a door to much more freedom, it can also be a danger. If your son or daughter is approaching driving age, it’s critical to teach them the rules of the road to ensure that they stay safe and secure. Here are some teen driving tips to make the transition to “driver” as smooth and as safe as possible.
Help Them Pick a Reliable Car
One of the most important things that you can do for your child before they hit the highway is to help them select a safe car. Do your due diligence and check out the vehicle’s entire history, including if it was routinely maintained or if it has ever been in an accident. You also want to take a gander at the vehicle’s safety features, including airbags, driver assistance technology, and seat belts. Whether it’s a minivan or a Mustang, it should be safe.
Keep Devices Off Limits
As we previously mentioned, teenagers have a habit of using their smart phones while behind the wheel. Tech devices pose a serious hazard to teen drivers as distracted driving can swiftly lead to an accident. It’s imperative that you drill into your child that devices are off limits when they’re driving. Model good behavior by never using your phone while driving and opt for a hands-free device. New distracted driving study shows that teens actually learn distracted driving habits from their parents, so be a good example!
Get Rid of All Distractions
Smart phones aren’t the only things that can make a teenage driver take his or her eyes off of the road. Music and passengers can be just as big a problem. Set a rule about the number of friends your teen can have in their car at any time. Also encourage them to create a lengthy playlist for their drive well before getting in the car. This way, they won’t be fumbling with the radio or trying to find their favorite band to play.
Know the Laws
It’s crucial to know teen driving laws by state in order to provide your teen with the correct driving rules in your own home state. Brush up on your knowledge of state driving laws including speed limit, passing, and more.
A Zero Tolerance Policy for Impaired Driving
Experiencing a newfound freedom can get your teen into some bad situations, including going to parties where underage drinking may take place. There is no safe amount of alcohol a teen can drink before getting behind the wheel. Couple any impairments with their driving inexperience and a disaster is bound to happen. Set a good example and never drink and drive. Teens who have witnessed their parents drink and drive are three times more likely to follow in their illegal footsteps.
Take It Slow
Whether they’re running late for class or just want to experience the thrill of a joy ride, speeding is a huge problem for teen drivers. What they do matters, so make them knowledgeable about local street and highway speed limits and that it’s essential that they follow them.
Don’t Let Them Drive at Night Right Away
You need to provide your teen with plenty of supervised opportunities to practice driving in the dark before you allow them to do it by themselves. Teenage drivers are three times more likely to crash at night than adults are.
Seat Belts Aren’t Optional
Seat belts are an absolute must and your teen needs to be buckled up at all times. Not only is it the law in all states, but it’s simply the best way for them to stay safe if an accident does occur. While teens may believe that they’re immortal, seat belts do save lives. Make sure that your child is always buckled up before the ignition starts.
Proper Vehicle Maintenance
Did you know that having the incorrect air pressure in your tires can dramatically affect vehicle handling? This is only one of the reasons why you should teach your teen the basics of proper vehicle maintenance. A few things they should know are how to check tire air pressure, how to safely gas up, how to check their oil, and what every light on their dashboard means.
Getting your teen prepared for the road isn’t just smart, it’s imperative. It will keep them safe behind the wheel for a lifetime.
