It’s not always the obvious things that have the most impact. Your teen has studied the statistics, taken the classes, and is finally ready to drive. But what about the statistics that show teen drivers are the most likely to be involved in an accident? Here are some of our top tips to help your child avoid a major car accident.
Help Them Develop the Right Attitude About Driving
Many teen car accidents are caused by their attitude and immaturity rather than a lack of talent or knowledge. For this reason, it is essential to confirm that your child is mature enough to get behind the wheel of a car. While many may not think of cars as deadly and dangerous, they are exactly that. If you think that your child could not handle the ownership of a gun or other dangerous object, it might be wise to reconsider a driver’s license.
Practice With Them
A parent should be as involved as possible in teaching their child to drive. To provide a more stable environment for teaching your child to drive, be sure to make a schedule. Keep practicing with them until their license exam. Many states have implemented graduated licensing rules. Make sure you’re up to date on these laws so you can ensure that your child will be able to drive legally once they pass their test!
Make Sure They Buckle Up
Teach your child that no matter what situation they are in, they must wear a seatbelt. Set a good example by buckling up yourself—besides, you want to be a safe driver too. It may be a good idea to review the seatbelt statistics published by the government to really drive home how important seatbelt usage is.
Don’t Let Them Drink and Drive
One of the biggest lessons to teach your child is the dangerous role that alcohol often has in car accidents. Be sure to tell your child about the repercussions of driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or other narcotics. Take care to let them know that these activities can result in the loss of their license or even their life.
Monitor Their Passengers
With each additional passenger, the probability of a fatal collision rises. When you’re dealing with a new driver, it’s ideal to keep their passengers to a minimum.
Don’t Let Them Drive at Night
It’s no secret that whenever you drive, you are risking your life. While many people may not understand this concept, it is essential that your child does. It’s best that they avoid driving at night until they’ve become used to driving during the day.
Make Sure They Follow the Speed Limit
Fast-moving, high-volume traffic can make your child feel uneasy, so have them avoid highways until they feel comfortable. It goes without saying that if you force a new driver into a stressful situation, they are likely to panic and learn nothing from the experience.
We hope you have found our tips to help your child avoid a major car accident helpful. Remember that driving safely does not only protect your teen from accidents. Learning good habits now can prevent your teen from being labeled a high-risk driver later. Make sure their first priority is to be safe on the road!
