Getting a driver’s license and access to a vehicle is a rite of passage for most young adults. Unfortunately, it is a very costly and dangerous transition. Parents often help their teens by paying for driver’s education, covering insurance costs and providing vehicle access.
They can also take steps to help keep their new drivers as safe as possible. Helping a teen learn to drive requires that parents give up a bit of their control. However, with the right structure, they can proactively limit the likelihood of their teen causing a crash that leaves them injured or traumatized.
What steps can parents take to keep their teen drivers as safe as possible?
1. Remember that practice makes perfect
A lack of experience is one of the biggest safety concerns for young drivers. The state does require hours of practice with an adult and also the completion of a driver’s education course. Parents may want to schedule more than the minimum number of practice driving hours with their teen drivers. Driving with young adults in as many different weather conditions and at different times of day can give them experience handling a variety of unique road conditions.
2. Model appropriate behavior
Young adults learn as much from example as they do from direct instruction. If parents tell teen drivers not to text while operating a vehicle, they should generally follow that same rule. Similarly, parents who know that their young adults could soon start driving may want to redouble their efforts to comply with traffic safety statutes. Obeying the speed limit, consistently using turn signals and coming to a complete stop when necessary at intersections are all habits that parents can pass to their children by setting a good example.
3. Prepare for the worst
Parents can help ensure their teenagers know how to handle a collision if one occurs. Teaching young adults to document the scene of the crash, contact first responders and reach out to a parent immediately after a collision can help ensure they get the support they need after a wreck. Purchasing or leasing a vehicle based on its safety rating can also prove invaluable if a collision occurs. Even emergency supplies in a vehicle, ranging from jumper cables to a spare pair of shoes, can help young drivers navigate a variety of challenging situations that could occur out on the road.
If a teen driver does end up involved in a crash, they may need help dealing with the aftermath. Parents may need to support young adults as they file insurance claims and recover after a motor vehicle collision. Helping teens avoid collisions and preparing them for the possibility of a crash are both smart moves for parents who want their new drivers to be as safe as possible.