Photo by Jenny Ueberberg on Unsplash
Are you looking for ways to reduce the risk of your teen getting in a car accident? Instilling good habits and safe driving practices from an early age is one of the best things you can do as a parent.
Many new drivers struggle with keeping their fear under control, and teen drivers are much more prone to accidents than older drivers.
To help keep your teen safe on the roads, we listed some essential tips every parent should teach their teen driver before they get their license. Keep reading to find out more!
Drive Respectfully
Teens often get into trouble by driving too aggressively. They may speed, tailgate, or try to pass other drivers where it’s not safe to do so.
All of these behaviors increase the risk of a car accident.
Drivers who speed are more likely to be involved in an accident. If another driver tries to pass your teen on a two-lane road, encourage them to let the other car go ahead. Driving too aggressively can lead to road rage, so it’s important to avoid aggressive driving.
For any of these scenarios, always have the contact information of a personal injury lawyer in case of emergencies.
Don’t Speed
All too often, teens are behind the wheel when their friends are driving recklessly. If you notice your teen driver speeding, make sure to correct them. If you’re in the car with your teen and notice that they’re speeding, let them know.
Tell them that speeding isn’t safe, and that they should slow down. When your teen starts driving on their own, discuss the importance of driving below the speed limit. Let them know that speeding isn’t safe, even if they’re driving on a wide open road with few other cars.
Always Use Your Seat Belt
It’s important to emphasize the importance of buckling up at every opportunity. When you’re in the car with your teen or letting them drive, make sure that they’re buckled up every time.
If you notice that your teen isn’t wearing a seat belt, let them know that you’d like them to wear it. Let them know how important it is to wear a seat belt whenever driving.
Don’t Talk Or Text While Driving
Although most new drivers understand that they shouldn’t drink and drive, many still don’t understand that distractions can also lead to accidents.
Talking or texting while driving is dangerous and can lead to a car accident. If you notice that your teen is doing any of these things while driving, pull them over and scold them. Continuing to talk about how dangerous it is to talk or text while driving can help your teen remember to avoid these distractions.
Summing up
If you want to keep your teen safe and avoid having to deal with car accidents, it’s important that you teach them these 4 tips before they get their license.
Establishing a code word, driving respectfully, not speeding, always using your seat belt, and not talking or texting while driving will help your teen be a safer driver.
With the help of these tips, you can reduce your teen’s risk of getting in a car accident, and you can help them develop the driving skills they need to be on the road.
Candy TaiCANDY TAI is a wife to David and mom of 5 with a degree in Communications. She's a native Texan (Hook 'Em Horns!) who's been making her home in the Kansas City metro area for nearly 15 years. She loves being able to shuffle her kids from their various sports activities, piano lessons, and school activities. She enjoys fashion, beauty, reality TV, and moviegoing.
Comments