Your teen learning to drive can be an exciting and proud time for you as a parent. It is also an exciting time for your child, as he/she gains more independence and gets closer to becoming an adult. That being said, teens are far more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors than adults, and this causes them to end up in more car crashes. Because of this, it is important to make sure your teenager is doing everything he/she can to be a safer driver. This is especially true in Texas, a state that has a higher than average rate of traffic crashes, injuries, and even fatalities. Here are a few ways that you can help your teen become a safer driver.
1) Make sure they aren’t distracted.
Distracted driving is one of the top causes of preventable car crashes, and the number of crashes caused by distracted driving is only rising. This is most likely due to the huge increase in the use of smart phones, but almost anything can cause a distraction. Things like talking to a passenger, eating or drinking, applying makeup, or anything else that causes you to take your eyes from the road can cause a crash. Encourage your teen to put the phone away while driving. If they are tempted, they can use one of the many distracted driving apps to lock their phone while they are driving. Make sure they are also avoiding all other distractions as well. When driving, the only thing a driver should be looking at is the road.
2) Discourage drowsy driving.
While many parents are worried about drunk driving, fewer parents are aware of the risks of drowsy driving. The truth is that being extremely tired can impair cognitive abilities in much the same way that alcohol can, and drowsy driving causes many preventable crashes each year. The National Safety Council explains that around 328,000 crashes occur each year due to drowsy driving. Make sure your teen understands that it is important to get enough sleep before getting behind the wheel. It could prevent a crash and possibly even save a life.
3) Teach them to be aware of their surroundings.
A big part of avoiding crashes as a driver is “defensive driving.” This means that you are aware of your surroundings and ready to react to any dangers or anything the drivers around you might do. For example, in Texas, many fatal crashes are caused each year by large semis crashing into smaller vehicles. These types of dangerous crashes are especially common in areas like the Permian Basin, where there are many trucks on the road. Many of these crashes could be avoided if drivers were more aware of the trucks around them and how they can end up in a truck’s blind spot. New drivers need to understand that safe driving isn’t just about making safe decisions, it is also about being aware of what is happening on the road and being ready to react quickly to dangerous situations.
4) Talk about driving under the influence.
No parent wants to think about their child ever driving drunk, but the truth is that many teens are injured and even killed due to drunk driving accidents each year. Make sure your teen understands that drunk driving includes driving while slightly intoxicated or “buzzed.” Additionally, make sure your teen knows never to get into a vehicle if the driver has been drinking. Make sure they know what to do if they ever find themselves in this situation, such as calling you to come get them or calling a ridesharing service. The sad truth is that despite many public awareness campaigns in recent years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost 30 people still die every day in the US due to crashes related to drunk driving. Make sure your teen knows the risks.
5) Make sure your teen understands basic car maintenance skills.
Poorly maintained cars can not only be costly, they can also cause crashes. Make sure your teen learns the basics of car maintenance, such as how to check a car’s fluid levels, how to change a tire, and how to jump off a car if needed. Take your teen with you to get their car maintained, so they learn the process of taking care of their vehicle. This will not only teach them valuable life skills that will help them later when they are living on their own, it could also prevent a dangerous crash.
6) Make sure your teen understands and follows the rules of the road.
Make sure your teen has a good understanding of the rules of the road before you let them drive on their own. Something as small as not knowing when to yield could cause a dangerous crash. You can quiz your teen on these topics and talk about them while they are learning to drive. While it can be a lot to learn, repetition over time will help your teen remember the road rules and develop good driving instincts.
These are just a few ways to encourage your teen to stay safe as they begin to drive on their own. Make sure you’re regularly discussing safety tips with your new driver, so he or she can stay safe as they take off to explore the roads without you.
About the guest author: Dorothy Brown is a writer, developer, and designer. She enjoys writing about topics in the health, legal and parenting fields. In her free time, you can find her hiking in the beautiful rocky mountains, spending time with her daughter, reading, cooking, or traveling somewhere new. You can contact her via Instagram: @dotleighbrown.
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