Every parent worries about their teens learning to drive. While these concerns are natural – and indeed, the risks are real – you can help mitigate them by taking concrete actions when your teen is learning to drive.
In this article, we will describe a series of specific measures that you can take to help your teen learn safe driving practices. It will also help to ameliorate your own fears about the dangers your teen faces on the road.
Lead by Example
It might sound trite, but it is true: Your kids will emulate your behavior. So if you practice irresponsible driving habits yourself, your teens will be likely to do the same. This applies not only to drinking and driving but also to all manner of other irresponsible habits: texting while driving, using a phone in states where it is illegal, disobeying the rules of the road, etc. Even being temperamental towards other drivers will make you appear reckless. And be sure to wear your seatbelt!
Be conscientious about your own driving habits and drive the way you would want your kids to. If you do, they will be much more likely to drive responsibly themselves.
Start Early
Another thing to keep in mind is that you should start teaching your teen responsible habits as early as possible. If you wait until they have already started driving, they can start developing bad habits that will be difficult to reverse.
You should start talking to your teen even before the driving process begins. Lay down ground rules that they need to follow and make clear what the consequences will be if they neglect to do so.
Enroll in a Driver’s Education Course
Enrolling your teen in a driver’s education course is essential for them to learn correct driving habits. Every state offers driver education programs, and you should check with the ones in your community to ensure that they meet the proper standards.
Among the things that you should look for is a graduated driver licensing (GDL) system, which is a three-stage system for providing licenses. These programs have a proven statistical record of helping to reduce the number of accidents that teens get into. Parents should not rely on these programs alone, though; it is also essential that they take an active role in their teens’ learning process.
Utilize Technology
Many technologies are being developed that are helping to ensure safety on the road. In addition to things that have become standardized in recent decades, such as airbags, there are also new tools available that can help keep new drivers safe on the road. These include:
- Blind-Spot Detection. People rushing to change lanes and not noticing someone in their blind spot is a common problem. Certain cars come equipped to alert drivers when someone is in their blind spot.
- Anti-Lock Brakes. These can be useful to prevent brakes from locking if you have to stop suddenly. They are becoming more standardized with newer models of cars.
- Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS). These systems will alert you when your tire pressure is getting low.
- Earlier Low-Fuel Warning. This is a system that alerts drivers when they are 75 miles to empty, rather than 50 miles as had previously been the standard.
- Car Insurance for Young Drivers. You should be sure to get the right coverage so that you know you’ll be compensated in the event of an accident.
Limit Night Driving
It is a fact that night driving is significantly more dangerous than daytime driving. And the statistics prove it: teens are three times more likely to have nighttime driving accidents than adults are. Driving in the dark is particularly risky for new drivers as they are not yet familiar with dangerous conditions, can become nervous easily, or do not know how to handle rough roads.
Therefore, it is a good idea to limit teens’ night driving as much as possible. And when your teen does drive at night, it is advisable to have an experienced driver in the car if possible.
Emphasize Defensive Driving
It is important to emphasize defensive driving during the learning phases for a new driver. Defensive driving is the practice of driving with an eye for potentially dangerous situations on the road. If you practice defensive driving, it means that you remain fully alert in difficult conditions or in situations where other drivers might make mistakes, and remain prepared to handle potential problems.
Defensive driving requires practice. It is only through experiencing real-world situations that you learn how to react correctly in difficult circumstances. Therefore, experienced drivers should accompany teens when learning to drive in tough conditions.
Discuss the Dangers of Impaired Driving
It is impossible to overstate the dangers of driving while impaired. The risk of causing accidents while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is multiple times higher than for sober drivers.
Parents should establish zero tolerance for impaired driving and be prepared to enforce punishments if their teens violate the rules. They should make it clear to their teens that the practice is not only dangerous but could lead to legal problems or the removal of their license.
Be Patient and Supportive
At the same time that it is important to be strict, you should also be patient with your teens when they are learning to drive. Make a concerted effort to talk to them, and listen to them if they have issues they would like to discuss.
If you only enforce punishments and do not offer genuine support, your teen will be more likely to sneak around and do things without telling you. The trick is to find the right balance between rule enforcement and encouragement.
Celebrate Milestones
Learning to drive is an accomplishment. It is a major step that teens take in their lives, and it should be acknowledged as such. So take the time to celebrate the different milestones that your teen reaches in learning to drive.
This can include obtaining a permit, completing a driver’s ed course, and of course obtaining a license. Taking the time to acknowledge these accomplishments not only makes people feel good, it emphasizes the importance of what they have done. And this helps stay focused on the road.
Final Thoughts
Learning to drive is an exciting period in teens’ lives. It is also one that causes parents a great deal of anxiety. Although the risks are real, they can be reduced with the right kind of coaching. So if you remain involved in your teen’s learning process and adhere to a reasonable set of rules, your teen should learn responsible and safe driving habits.
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