It can be nerve-racking to put a teenager behind the wheel of a car. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety showed that teens were three times more likely to be involved in an accident than drivers who are 20 years old or older. However, there are some things you can do that will help keep your children safe. Here are seven ways to make sure your kids have the skills they need.
Tip 1 – Drive as many miles as you can along with them, once they have their permits.
University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center studied the impact of supervised driving on young drivers. It found that there was a significant decrease in crashes in those who did 110 hours of supervision before getting their license. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found an increase in accident risk during the first month of a novice driver. Get them as much practice and instruction as possible before they go on the road alone.
Tip 2: Keep the teenage passenger count under a certain limit
Young drivers are more at risk if they have other teens in their car. Friends can be distracting and could lead the driver to underestimate potential dangerous situations. Talk to your kids about the importance of ignoring their friends when they drive and limiting how many passengers they are allowed to bring.
Tipp 3: Stop Texting
Although everyone is aware that texting while driving is dangerous and unsafe, many teens are still guilty of it. According to an AAA study, 58% of all crashes involving teens were caused by distracted driving. You might ask your teenager to put their phone in the glove box and turn it off. They could also request that they designate someone to send text messages to them. Make sure you practice what you’re preaching. Children won’t take it seriously if they see that you are texting at the wheel.
Tip 4 Talks to your teens about ALL types of distracted driving.
While texting while driving is dangerous it is also dangerous. It’s important to discuss other distractions with your teen. AAA found that accident risks increase when teens are distracted by other distractions such as searching for addresses, looking inside vehicles, or singing along with the radio. Your teen must be aware of the importance and practice of keeping the volume low enough to be able to hear emergency vehicles and car horns.
Tip 5
Even though most children won’t ride their bikes without a helmet or a helmet, some fewer kids will use seatbelts. Teens used seatbelts less frequently than other ages in 2013, and 2014. Seatbelts decrease the chance of death in a collision by 45% and those who sustain moderate-to-severe injuries by 50%. You should get everyone in the habit of wearing seatbelts before you start your car.
Tip #6: Offer late-night pickup service.
You can make it simple for your teens to call you for Mom & Dad Taxi Service – anytime. Teens are told to “don’t drink & drive” every day. Even if they aren’t drinking, they might find themselves in situations where the driver is. Be sure to let your kids know they can get out of a vehicle without a drunk driver.
Tip 7, be a non-aggressive driver. Set an example.
The most overlooked but most important step a parent can take to keep their kids safe behind the wheel is to practice good manners. Car accident deaths are due to aggressive driving. Your kids might mimic your actions if you drive aggressively, lash out, tailgate, or cut someone off. Instead, teach them how calm to behave and how to avoid aggressive drivers.
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