Safe driving tips for teens, parents, and all drivers

Teaching your Teen to Drive

Teenagers dream about getting their driver’s license and worry about passing the road and written test.  Having that official piece of identification tucked in their wallet opens up a new world of freedom, choices, responsibilities, and consequences.  For parents, white knuckled and hunched over in the passenger seat, the process of teaching their son or daughter to drive may feel more like a nightmare than a drive through the park.  And the stress only increases with having your new driver on the road.  This column will provide tips to prepare your teen to become a safe driver and hopefully reduce everyone’s anxiety level a notch or two.

 According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15 to 20 year olds, accounting for forty percent of all teen deaths.  While this age group makes up only 10% of the U. S. population, they account for 14% of all crash fatalities.  So teaching your teen to be a careful and safe driver can make the difference in his survival behind the wheel.  It’s an effort that takes time, knowledge, and patience.

Know the rules

Having the right information can make your job as driving mentor so much easier.  First, visit your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles website.  Most states have a new driver’s booklet, list of places and times to take the exam, state driving laws, and more on their site.  If you don’t have access to the Internet at home, you can use the free computers at the library, pick up printed materials at the DMV offices, or often request them by phone.   Parents should review the materials as well as ensuring that their teen studies them.  This is usually one homework assignment, they are eager to do.  Check out

http://www.drivers.com/article/639/

for links to official state driving sites in the U. S. and Canada. 

 Another helpful resource is your insurance agent.  Many insurance companies have programs for new drivers including videos, safe driving booklets, and criteria for getting good student and safe driving discounts.  This is a good time to check the rates for having a teen driver on your policy.  If you have more than one vehicle, chose one with an airbag if possible, and find out which one will have the lower rate and best safety rating.  Then add the teen as a driver to that car.

 Be a role mode

Setting a good example is one of the best ways that you can help your teen be a better driver.  If you run red and yellow lights, speed down the highway at 75 MPH, weave in and out of traffic, take chances on the road, ride the bumper of the car in front of you, scream at other drivers, or exhibit other signs of road rage, you’re showing your teen that the rules don’t count—and this can be fatal.  Model the behavior you want your teen to follow and start early. 

 C 2005, by Eileen Buckholtz, for Family Issues Magazine           

10% off Drivered.com for teendriving.com visitors by using link below.

10% off online and in car Drving courses from Driver's Ed Direct by using the above link.

 

Copyright 2005 Teendriving.com

Disclaimer * Privacy Policy * Reprint Policy