You're not alone if you're concerned about your newly licensed teen getting behind the wheel of a car. Many parents are concerned when their children reach the driving age. Inexperience, combined with potential distractions, can put teenagers at a higher risk than experienced drivers. However, there are steps you can take to help your child drive safely once they get behind the wheel. Here are some helpful teen driving tips:
Accompany Your Teen Driver for a While
The risk of a collision is greatest during a teen's first year of driving. To help reduce this risk, give your teen as much practice as possible before allowing them to drive on their own. Are they driving safely and in accordance with the rules? Are there any skills they should improve? If they aren't driving safely, don't be afraid to revoke their privileges. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends at least 30 to 50 hours of supervised driving practice spread out over a minimum of six months.
Smartphones' "Do Not Disturb" setting
Distracted driving is dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians, and smartphones are among the most common sources of distraction. Set their phone to Do Not Disturb mode while driving to help them stay focused on the task at hand.
Prevent Other Types of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is caused by more than just cell phones. Encourage your teen to use GPS and eat before getting on the road. Limiting the number of passengers can also help, as they can be very distracting, especially for a new driver.
Implement a Strict Curfew
At night, visibility is low, which can pose a significant challenge for inexperienced drivers. When combined with adverse weather conditions (see below), this could spell disaster. Set a curfew for your teen drivers so they don't drive late at night.
Keep an eye on the gas gauge
Check their gas gauge on a regular basis to ensure they're properly fueled, and remind them to do the same. Make sure your teenagers understand how to refuel, and consider stashing some cash in the glove compartment for emergency gas. Running out of gas could leave them stranded and potentially in danger.
Maintain a Sleep Schedule for Them
Drowsy driving is another potential threat to your teen's and other drivers' lives. Remind your teen driver of the dangers of drowsy driving and the importance of getting enough rest.
Monitor Weather Conditions
Weather conditions such as rain, hail, snow, ice, and fog make driving more difficult for new drivers. Suggest that they download a weather app to their phone and check local conditions before leaving the house. Apps that show the weather by the hour may be a good choice because they can check for potentially hazardous weather events later in the day.
Emphasize the significance of seat belts
Seat belts are unavoidable. Seat belts saved nearly 15,000 lives on American roads in 2017.
Persuade them to leave early
If your teen has an appointment or a time-sensitive event, make sure they leave early enough to arrive a few minutes early. This may help to reduce speeding.
Invite them to participate
Ask your teenagers to contribute to the costs of their vehicle, such as gas, registration, and auto insurance. Having them participate can increase accountability and promote safer driving.
Make Use of Technology
There are several apps that can assist you in monitoring your teen's driving. Simply be open about your use of these apps and let your teens know what you expect of them.
The first time your teen drives on their own does not have to be terrifying. Simply participate in their driving education, model safe driving behavior, and allow them to rise to the occasion.
Make sure they're also properly insured. To learn more about car insurance, contact Retcho agency. We can assist you in determining how much auto insurance coverage your teen driver will need.