Tips To Prepare Your Teen for the Road?

As parents, we are the number one influence in our child’s life, from the time they are itty bitty and think we hung the mood to the time they are teens, behind the wheel and acted like they know everything.  It’s so important that we remember that, even when they’re teens and especially when they’re getting ready to start driving.

Since May is Global Youth Safety Month let’s talk a little more about the important role we as parents play in teaching our children how to become better drivers.  Did you know that car crashes are the number one killer of teens?  With a teen who’s almost driving that scares me because I remember what I was like as a teen driver.  I thought I knew everything but was inexperienced behind the wheel of a vehicle which is why most accident involving teen drivers happen.  It’s not necessarily because they take more risks behind the wheel, they just lack the experience.

Not to mention they can get distracted more easily and tend to have passengers with them which are one of the biggest distractions for teen drivers.  Just one teen passenger can increase a teen driver’s fatal crash risk by forty-four percent.  Adding two passengers doubles that fatal crash risk, three quadruples and so on.

Tips To Prepare Your Teen for the Road?

Here are a few tips to prepare you teen for the road even after they have received their driver’s license.

• Lead by example – If you speed, don’t wear your seatbelt and drive your teen recklessly very well could mimic those behaviors once they begin driving.  They might not do it with you in the car, but they might think it’s cool when they are with their friends.  Drive with your children in the car how you want them to drive when you are not in the car.

• Make sure your teen understands and follows the rules– Rules are a good thing and in many cases when followed can save lives.  Parents should consider setting up some driving ground rules such as – no texting, answering the phone, speeding, etc. if they are operating a vehicle.

• Make them drive – Even thought your teen already has their license and might be driving a bit on their own, be sure you continue allowing them time behind the wheel with you in the car so they can practice, practice, and practice some more.

• Consider the time – Is your teen out driving between the hours of 9 pm and midnight?  If so I think it’s important to let you know that most fatal nighttime crashes involving teen drivers happen between the hours of 9 pm and midnight. As children get older their social life becomes more important so I know there are times when we can’t avoid having them on the road during certain hours but there are things we can do to help minimize the risk of anything happening like make sure they are not driving with friends in the car and have them check in when they reach their destination or are leaving to come home.

• Seatbelt safety – Does your teen wear their seatbelt 100% of the time?  Are you sure, even when they are with their friends or just running down the road?  Make sure and stress the important of wearing a seatbelt to you a teen driver.  Also, let them know the stats because more than half of the teens killed in accidents were not restrained by a seatbelt. Make sure your children see you put on your seatbelt and are in the habit of reaching over and putting their seatbelt on 100% of the time.  Make sure they understand that wearing their seatbelt is nonnegotiable and explain why.

• Distractions and daily tasks – The below video really explains why we should help our teens understand that even the smallest thing, like opening a bottle of water can cause be dangerous.

Parents! We have to stay involved with our teen’s driving experience.  This means even after they get their license, practice and setting rules in your house that are stronger than your state GDL law.  Be sure and share Steer Your Teen Down the Right Road with your peers so they too can see the importance of their role in their teen drivers life.  To learn more visit DriveitHOME.org.

How are you currently staying involved with your teen drivers?

I was paid to share this important public service announcement in observance of “Global Youth Safety Month” for SheSavvy and The National Safety Council www.nsc.org.  All opinions are my own.