When it comes to car ownership, there’s a lot to cover. Owning and driving a car come with great responsibility. For many, dreams of their first car are something they’ve had since childhood. It’s very likely your kids have their own toy cars they play with and pretend they’re driving. The toy industry generates $13.2 billion in tax revenue each year. Playing with toys is a great place to start until your kids are old enough to understand the responsibility that comes with owning a real car.
So what is it that they need to know before having their own? Here we’ll discuss what you should consider and know about prior to buying their first car and how you can approach the conversation with your kids.
Car Responsibility
The first thing one needs to consider when it comes to cars is how to be safe while operating them. It’s important that you understand driver safety if you hope to drive on the road someday. Not only for yourself, but for everyone else around you.
The first rule of driver safety is to wear your seatbelt at all times when operating the vehicle. Driving a car without wearing your seatbelt is an unnecessary risk. There’s no value to not wearing your seatbelt and a great deal of risk when you don’t. Be smart and buckle up.
The second rule of driver safety is to avoid any and all distractions while driving, the most obvious distraction being the use of any drugs or alcohol. This is incredibly important because it endangers the lives of everyone around you if you’re driving under the influence. Additionally, if you are under the age of 21, you can be charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) even if your BAC is well below .08% if you have any detectable alcohol in your bloodstream. These types of charges are not something you want on your child’s record.
Distracted driving means more than just driving under the influence, though. Teach your kids to lower the radio when they get in the car and to limit the amount of passengers they have with them, especially if they are driving somewhere unfamiliar. It also means driving during the day instead of at night time where it may be harder to see. Similarly, they should be extra cautious during the winter months when there may be snow or ice in your area.
Choosing a Car
Next comes actually choosing a car. Choosing which car you want is an important thing to consider before going and buying one impulsively. This is for a number of reasons. First, you should consider whether you’re going to buy new or used. Chances are, your teenage kid is going to be getting a used car. This is smart because it’s not only cheaper, but it will be less of a financial burden when the all-too-expected fender bender comes around.
Once you’ve landed on a used car, you need to consider the year, the model, the mileage, and the potential repairs. Taking care of repairs is all part of the responsibility that comes with car ownership. You can’t just choose a car based on its logo. Ford’s signature blue oval logo was not even introduced until 4 years after the company had already been in production.
You need to focus on the car itself and how auto repair may be a big financial factor to consider in the future. It is essential that your child know where to go for regular maintenance such as oil changes, checking brakes and tires, etc. You don’t want your child to buy a used car that is going to break down in two years and need costly repairs in the meantime just to stay up and running. Be sure to pay attention to this when you’re at the dealership.
Knowing good driver safety and how to choose a car that’s right for you are the two most important aspects you’ll need to have your children consider prior to actually buying a car. When it comes to your children, you don’t want to put them in harm’s way. For this reason, teaching driver safety and buying a safe and reliable car are important steps to take.
