As a parent, the first time your teen gets behind the wheel can be a pretty harrowing experience. After all, teen drivers tend to have a very high risk for dangerous car crashes. However, there are some ways you can help them stay safe when they’re on the road…
Teen Drivers: How To Keep Them Safe
Invest in a safe driving course
There’s only so much that driver’s ed can really teach teen drivers. They can learn the basics of how to drive and the rules of the road, but it can’t prepare them for every kind of danger they might encounter. Therefore, it’s not a bad idea to have your teen take a safe driving course before they start driving.
Safe driving courses can help teach teens important things like defensive driving techniques. Plus, it can also get them hands-on experiences with things like slippery skids or drifting off the road, and how to properly recover. If you’re worried about your teen not being experienced enough, these courses can help alleviate those fears.
Get a safe car
Many parents have memories of when they were teen drivers of driving cheap, not-so-great starter cars. While they can be funny memories to look back on, in hindsight they certainly weren’t the safest choice. Therefore, if you want to keep your teen safe, it’s good to invest in a reliable car.
Now, that doesn’t mean you have to get a brand new car. A used car can also be a safe pick. It just means you have to ensure that there’s nothing wrong with it that presents a major safety hazard. Ensure that there’s nothing wrong with the airbags, seat belts, and other safety features, as well as the car in general before making a purchase.
Be honest and aware
It helps to have a heart-to-heart with teen drivers and let them know why you’re worried. Even if your teen plays it off or appears uninterested, many times it really leaves an impression on them. This can help encourage them to make the right decisions when behind the wheel.
However, be aware that it’s a two-way street. You can’t tell your teen not to text-and-drive, and then do the same when you’re driving with them. It’s important to practice what you preach, so your teen fully realizes how important the things you say are.