It’s finally that time when your teen is ready to get their driver’s license. Even though it can be scary think about your child navigating themselves on the road, there are a few things you can do to help ensure teen safety. Of course, there are the basic driver’s education classes that most young drivers are required to take that help with this topic of teen safety. In addition to that, we’ve compiled a list of three steps to take in order to keep your teenager safe while driving.
3 Teen Safety Tips Before They Hit The Road
1. Update The Car
Keeping your teen safe while driving is probably, or at least it should be, your number one goal. So, let’s start with the car they drive. Most teens start their driving experience with a used car. If this is the case for your teen driver, ensure that it is up-to-date on all of its inspections. Check the car’s tires, brakes, fluids, suspension, engine and alerts before they hit the road. You might even want to take this opportunity to teach your son or daughter and thing or two about the inner workings of their car. Part of teen safety is feeling comfortable in the car you drive. That means knowing it won’t break down on the side of the road, as well as what to do if it does.
2. Set Ground Rules
Your teenager probably won’t like this tip. But, setting some ground rules about driving is also part of teen safety. It’s a good idea to set clear rules, or even restrictions, about driving to keep your teen safe. Safety experts recommend no driving after 9 p.m. for newly licensed teens. After six months of driving without any mishaps, you may choose to relax restrictions by extending driving to 10 or 11 p.m. You might also allow them to have one other teenage passenger in the car with them. Everything is about trust. So, it’s important to keep a firm standing on these rules. You don’t want your new driver to take advantage of his or her driving privilege. Also, some states have “provisional license†restrictions that extend for the first several years of driving, so make sure to check the laws where you live.
3. Shop Smart
Another key factor of teen safety can be to choose to wait to buy them a new car. For the first year or so after your teen receives their license, let them share the family car. They will be less pressured while driving a car they’re familiar with. Then, once they have a bit more driving experience, consider a new car. Keep safety in mind when buying a vehicle for your teen. Purchase a newer model car that offers good crash protection. Also, stay away from cars with high performance engines that may encourage reckless driving. It’s also a good idea to stay clear of SUVs because they’re more likely to roll over in a collision than a mid-size car or sedan.
Your teen might think they’re ready to drive before you do, but the day when they take that driving test is inevitable. The steps tips above will help your new teen driver practice safety while on the road.
The information in this article is obtained from various sources. This content is offered for educational purposes only and does not represent contractual agreements, nor is it intended to replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. The definitions, terms and coverage in a given policy may be different than those suggested here. Such policy will be governed by the language contained therein. No warranty or appropriateness for a specific purpose is expressed or implied.
