For teenagers, getting a driver's license is often an exciting time. The license allows teens to get around without relying on their parents for a ride.
However, teens are at risk of numerous dangers on the road due to their inexperience behind the wheel. Therefore, as a parent, get involved in your teen's driving; that way, you can assist your rookie driver in averting the dangers of the road.
Below are some tips for helping your new driver avoid a collision and ensure they are safe while driving.
Ease Their Anxiety
Despite being eager to get behind the wheel, your teen driver may also feel anxious about the new responsibility. A lot of teenagers underestimate the stress associated with driving. Though your teen may think they have everything under control, certain situations can increase their anxiety levels.
Since your teenager may not mention it to you, take the time to ease their anxiety. Acknowledge that driving can be stressful. Let your teen know if they feel rushed or pressured, they can always pull over where safe and let traffic pass.
Discourage Use of Phones While Driving
Driving while texting is one of the most dangerous and potentially deadly habits. Therefore, teens should not use their phones while driving.
To keep teens safe on the road, always emphasize the dangers of using a cell phone while driving. Additionally, encourage your teen to put their phones on silent while driving. You can also have teens place the phone somewhere in the car not easily accessible, like in the glove compartment or the back seat.
The habit will help teens learn to wait until they arrive at their destination to answer texts and phone calls.
Limit the Number of Passengers
Teenagers usually want to go for rides with their friends. However, the presence of passengers, especially teen drivers, can be a distraction. Every teen passenger increases the crash risk of any unsupervised teen driver.
Therefore, limit the number of passengers in the vehicle when your teen drives. You can also encourage your child to set rules for their friends in the car to minimize distractions.
Experts recommend teens not bring passengers into their vehicles during the first
six months of driving.
Make Seat Belts Mandatory
Although wearing a seat belt seems obvious, many new drivers fail to follow the rule. As a result, teach your teens to buckle up before getting behind the wheel.
Let your teen know that a seat belt will save their lives and reduce the severity of their injuries in the event of an accident. In addition, remind your teen that all passengers in the vehicle should buckle up as well.
Limit Nighttime Driving
You should also restrict your teen's driving time at night unless the need arises. Many fatal accidents happen at night. Nighttime is harder to see, making driving more challenging, especially for teenagers with little experience.
Until your child has more driving experience, restrict or prohibit nighttime driving. In
some states, newly licensed drivers are prohibited from driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. or equivalent hours.
Set a Good Example
Being a parent means modeling good behavior in everything you do. By modeling good driving behavior, you're more likely to influence your teen to do the same.
Avoid texting and driving, wear your seatbelt, and avoid speeding while your teen rides with you. When your child takes the wheel themselves, they'll hopefully remember the good driving habits you taught them.
Any driver can get involved in a collision regardless of the circumstances. Even if you have no foolproof way to prevent teen driving accidents, the tips above can help them keep safer while on the road.
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today for collision repair if you or your teen happens to be in an accident.
