Every parent hopes their children will become safe and courteous drivers.
But that won’t happen on its own. Left unmonitored and untrained, teen drivers may put themselves and their passengers in precarious situations.
In fact, motor vehicle accidents with teens behind the wheel are the leading cause of death among teens.
And according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, teen drivers aged 16 to 19 are three times more likely to be in a fatal crash than experienced drivers.
With such stats, it goes without saying that the road can be an unpredictable place for teen drivers.
So, what can a parent do to help their teens become safe drivers? Here are a few ways you as a parent can help your teens cultivate the right patterns on the road.
1. Lead by Example
The most important thing a parent can do to ensure their teens’ safety on the road is to lead by example.
While you probably bend safety protocols from time to time when driving alone, try your best to abide by all the traffic rules when driving with your children on board.
Leading by example entails many things, including:
- Following rules as outlined in the driver’s handbook
- Minimizing distractions
- Watching your speed
- Only driving when you’re sober and well-rested
- Being cautious on the road
As a parent, you have the most significant influence on your children’s behavior.
Hence, when you practice safe driving with your teenager, they will observe and apply the same safe driving techniques and habits.
Conversely, if you’re reckless on the road, your teen drivers will likely “inherit” your aggressive driving style through model learning.
2. Set a Driving Curfew
Driving at night is dreadful and dangerous. It’s reported that about 40% of young drivers’ fatal accidents occur between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
One of the reasons why night driving poses numerous safety risks is that it affects vision—preventing drivers from seeing clearly, especially when hit by a high beam from an oncoming vehicle.
An experienced driver may have some safety workarounds for nighttime driving.
However, the risk of accidents is higher for young, inexperienced drivers.
By setting a night curfew, you’ll be protecting your inexperienced teens from the dangers of nighttime driving.
3. Set a Passenger Limit
It’s a known fact that teenagers like to party. So when teens first get their licenses, the first thing they’ll want to do is drive their friends around.
And when it’s party time, you can be sure the car will be jam-packed with partygoers beyond the allowed passenger limit.
While this can be fun, it also poses a safety risk. Too many teens in one car can cause distractions.
Moreover, studies have shown that carrying passengers significantly increases crash risks for teen drivers.
Thus, setting a passenger limit can help your teens become safer drivers.
4. Leverage Advanced Vehicle Safety Features
While it’s crucial that all drivers learn the ropes of how to protect themselves on the road, leveraging the new technological innovations and apps can enhance safety and provide a buffer for inexperienced drivers.
For instance, modern vehicles come with advanced features such as seat belt reminders, volume limits, speed controls, etc., that can enhance your driving efficiency while keeping you safe on the roads.
And even if your vehicle or your teen’s vehicle is not equipped with this technology, many low-cost apps exist that can do the trick.
Leveraging these vehicle safety features can help to nurture your teens driving habits and promote safe driving.
Final Thoughts
Judging by the increasing number of crashes involving young drivers, it’s critical that you devise ways to help your teens become safer drivers.
While your teenagers will not always listen to you, they pay attention to your actions.
So, by following the rules and becoming a safe driver yourself, you can be sure your kids will follow suit.
They just need a role model, and you as the parent are the perfect fit for the role.