Young people who have just obtained their driving license (or are in the process of doing so) must make sure they respect the road safety code and rules put into practice everything they have learned in their courses. Unfortunately, far too many accidents involving young drivers continue to occur across the country which is why it is also important that you teach them what to do when they are in an accident.
The many changes brought about by winter will also need to be taken into consideration when you teach your teen how to drive. You will also need to talk to your teen about the many responsibilities that come with driving so that they can do their best to avoid an accident. Here are some things to keep in mind if you want to ensure your teen learns how to drive correctly.
Before even hitting the road
First of all, if the family vehicle is necessary, mom and dad must sit down with their teenager to agree on the times and how to use it (e.g .: to go to school, curfew time, number of friends on board, etc.). If your youngster has his own vehicle, “Remind him that driving is a responsibility, with all kinds of costs to pay such as insurance, registration, gasoline and maintenance, but also laws and principles to be respected, for example the hours allowed for parking on the street or the zero tolerance policy, ” explains teen expert Sam Miller from the Parenting Teenagers Academy.
On this subject, it is of course necessary to evoke the dangers and consequences of alcohol, drugs, cell phones or many other distractions while driving. Always be available to pick up your teen after an evening or at least make sure there is a designated driver. It’s much better to have to wake up in the middle of the night and pick them up then it is to get a call from the police. This is an important issue and can be life saving for many teens.
On the road
Driving safety goes beyond driving; remember to check the fuel and windshield washer level, the condition of the tires (the only point of contact with the road!) and headlights, messages or warning lights on the dashboard, etc. Obviously, a periodic mechanical inspection of the vehicle is recommended.
According to many youth experts, parents should travel as often as possible with their youngster to ensure that the latter adopts a good driving position, good techniques and a careful driving attitude. You also need to take this into account when Winter comes. The days are getting shorter and the road is getting colder and slick. You must stay on top of this because reaction times are much shorter and there is a higher probability that you child could get into an accident.
Many experts suggest that young people who are driving a vehicle in fall or winter be reminded that it is very different from summer and their driving lessons. It’s important that your teen practice in a large, deserted parking lot with an experienced person by their side, particularly with regard to controlling skids. Even better, there are advanced driving training courses that allow you to learn more about the different techniques.
Also when it comes to cell phones, which are the extension of the body of the vast majority of teens, you need to have a discussion about this as well. It is is vital that you tell your teen that they must never be texting or speaking while driving and that if they are caught doing so, there will be a punishment for this.
