This is part of a sponsored safety campaign with DiMe Media and Allstate Foundation. However, all opinions expressed are my own.
It’s hard to imagine parents are the number one influences over their teen drivers. I guess, it’s because it’s a time in their life when they think they know everything. I’m thankful I am still an influence in my teen’s life, especially when it comes to driving. The thought of my daughter jumping behind the wheel scared me to death, but I know it’s going to happen. Rather than run and hide from it, I need to face it head on and teach her how to be a safe driver.
Teach Your Teen To Drive Safe with These 5 Tips
I also need to remember I was a teen driver once too. I was a safe driver because my parents took the time to help me learn how to be a safe driver.
- Talk to your teens – Did you know car crashes are the #1 killer of teens here in the United States? Scary right, I think it’s important we talk to our teens about these statistics, so they understand why they need to pay attention and follow the rules of the road 100% of the time.
- Be an influence – Everything starts with you. Kids watch you drive as they grow up, so you need to be an influence now! Did you know more parents use their phones while driving than teens? SCARY right, what example do you think you’re setting if the kids watch you drive them to school chatting with your buddy.
- Practice – Since 69% of teens think they should have received more practice before getting their driver’s license why not take them out from time to time and teach them to drive. I grew up driving on dirt roads, and we currently take our daughter out way in the middle of nowhere to let her practice driving. We want her to be as comfortable as possible.
- Be the passenger – Riding with your teen at least 30 minutes each week can help you coach them into becoming a safer driver.
- Limit friends in the car – You might not be there to make sure your teen only has one friend in the car, but try stressing the importance of focusing on the road, even when friends are aboard. Teens are four times more likely to be killed in a car crash when they have three or more friends in the car. Talk with your teen, educate them on not only the statistics, but how to change them.
When it’s all said and done be sure to offer your preteen or teen praise, positive reinforcement for a job well done goes a long way.
Knowledge is power! I know it’s hard to talk about these statistics with your teens, but they need to know them so they can start making a difference. Did you know that Allstate started researching teen driving behaviors in 2005 and here we are 10 years later and they have helped reduce the teen driving fatalities by 48%. That’s HUGE and it all boils down to awareness! People need to know!
We have already started practicing with Vayda! She knows exactly what to do as she gets into the car and prepares to drive. So proud of her, she even turned down the radio and put up her cell phone.
The Allstate Foundation is working hard to generate awareness and promote safe driving practices for both teens and preteens with their #GetThereSafe campaign. I was lucky as a teen and wasn’t involved in any accidents, but my sister was almost killed in an auto accident. Had she not been wearing her seatbelt I don’t know that she would be here with us today? What I’m trying to say is accidents happen, all we can do is educate our preteens and teens to wear their seatbelt, obey traffic laws, be a defensive driver and as parents lead by example.
