For a teenager, there’s nothing more exciting than getting your driver’s license. Not only does it signify that they’re closer to becoming full-fledged adults, but it also provides an opportunity for freedom like they’ve never known before. After all, what’s better than hopping in the car on a sunny summer day and going for a drive with friends?
As exciting as it is to have a driver’s license and to be able to (possibly) have their own car, the fact of the matter is that many teens aren’t as well versed on the rules of the road as they need to be.
So what does your teenager need to know to be a good driver? There’s actually quite a lot. Knowing what to teach them and how to teach it will keep your teen safe (and make you feel more comfortable as a parent).
Staying Safe On the Road
Some things about road safety are painfully obvious: always buckle your safety belt and obey the speed limit. But there are other rules that take some time to really absorb, even for the most eager drivers. What does that mean? It means planning ahead, looking at maps, and figuring out where you need to go before you ever leave the driveway. It also means leaving early, especially when the weather is bad.
Arguably the most important rule a teenager can learn is to stay focused. It may seem like a simple task, but if it was really that simple, there would be no car accidents or even traffic tickets. That means not talking on your cell phone, not eating and drinking (if possible), and being aware of your surroundings. Driving may seem easy, but with so many cars on the road — global car sales reached a record 88 million vehicles in 2016, up 4.8% from a year earlier and set a 10-year high — there’s a lot to pay attention to and contend with. The worst thing you want for your teenage driver is for them to get on a highway during rush hour and panic because they’re not practiced enough to be on the road.
Teaching a Teen to Drive
So what can you do to ensure that your teen doesn’t find themselves in a sticky wicket once you toss them the keys? For starters, you as their parent can set a good example. Let’s face it, as a parent you want to feel comfortable knowing your teen is doing everything possible to be a safe driver.
But if you’re eating and yakking it up on your cell phone in the car while they’re watching you drive, your child is going to see that. As such, they might assume that all those behaviors are okay. Let’s be honest: some of those things might be frowned upon in the car, but they’re not illegal. Still, for a young teen driver who doesn’t have the best habits, you want nothing to distract them from their goal: getting from Point A to Point B safely.
Another good step to ensure driver safety down the road is to really educate your teen on the rules of the road and how to navigate. Your teen may roll their eyes and point to apps like Google Maps and Waze for navigation, but experienced drivers know that you still need to know where the heck you’re going. That’s especially true on city roads where you might be looking for a hidden driveway or need to make a series of quick turns. Knowing what to look for and not relying solely on the navigation app is essential.
If you really want an old-school way to educate your teen driver on navigation, take them for a drive. As you drive, talk to them about the route you’re taking, why you’re taking it, and what roads they can use to get home when they drive. This will help them navigate without a GPS and really help them understand their community.
Teaching about Drinking and Driving
This seems like another no-brainer when it comes to driving, but it’s estimated that at least four million U.S. adults have admitted to drinking and driving occasionally and that it generally happens more than 120 million times a year, if not more.
As a parent, one of the most important lessons to impart to a teenager is to absolutely not drink and drive. Even a few sips can result in being stopped, ticketed, and maybe even jailed. In Michigan, for example, a motorist under 21 can be charged with a “Zero Tolerance” OWI offense meaning that any amount of alcohol in the motorist’s system, even if not influencing that person’s ability to operate a vehicle, can render charges.
By being hands-on with your teenager and establishing clear and (unflinching) rules, a teen should be discouraged from drunk driving. A parent should feel comfortable being strict without feeling guilty and that means stressed over and over and over to a teen not to drink and drive. If they do drive drunk, it means losing their license.
Choosing the Right Car For a Teen
Once your teen knows the rules of the road and is ready to drive alone with their new driver’s license, it may be time to find them their first car. For a teen, a new driver’s license and a car is quite the combo. But if you’re in the market for a car for a teen, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Teens love trendy and fast cars, but a teen’s first car shouldn’t be packed with horsepower because they might be tempted to test how fast the car can go. When it comes to safety, keep in mind that bigger vehicles can protect drivers better in the event of accidents, plus they usually have anti-lock break systems. Parents also want to look at vehicles with good safety ratings that don’t have recall notices.
Whichever car you choose for your teen, you’ll also want to enlighten them on simple things like not locking their keys in their car. The United States in fact sees over 16,000 home and car lockouts per day and for a lot of drivers, there’s no bigger frustration than locking the keys in your car, especially if you’re out and about. So if you find yourself in this situation, make sure to enlist the help of a commercial locksmith.
Teaching your teen to drive isn’t easy but it’s a necessary step toward adulthood. Ease your mind with these tips when your little one is ready to get behind the wheel.
