It’s one of the moments every parent hopes will never arrive – your teen getting their driver’s license.The first time a teenager gets behind the wheel is sure to make any parent nervous, especially now that phones are in the mix. Distracted driving causes many accidents, some fatal, so it’s your job to inform your child how to stay focused on the road. Here are a few tips to help ease your mind while helping them become safe drivers.
Are they ready?
One of the most common questions parents of teens ask is, “Is my child ready to drive?” To be a safe driver, your teen will need important skills and abilities. They’ll need to pay attention to the surrounding environment at all times, scan their surroundings and predict changes in both traffic and the actions of other drivers, and use quick recall skills to make safe choices.
If you’re having trouble establishing whether your teen is ready for the responsibility of driving, ask yourself the following questions:
- Does my teen show good judgement in school and at home?
- Is my teen mature?
- Can my teen handle constructive criticism and instruction?
- Is my teen able to take responsibility for his safety as well as the safety of others?
If you are able to answer “yes,” then it’s time to switch over to practice mode.
Get it in writing
It’s never too early to start giving your teen a little extra responsibility, and it is a great way for them to learn to follow rules and requirements, proving that they are capable of taking on the large responsibility that driving entails. At around age 14, consider writing up a contract that outlines school and home responsibilities. The largest stipulation will be that your teen must meet the contract rules at 80 percent or better for a set number of months before they will be permitted to start driver training. Even if this delays getting their permit until they are 16 or 17, stick to the contract.
Once your teen has put wheels on the road, alter the contract to specify what your teen must do in order to be able to use the car. For example, conditions could be finishing homework in a timely manner and doing chores without being asked. The contract should also include rules such as how many passengers are allowed in the car, where they can drive, driving hours, and consequences for breaking the rules. Teens are often very easily distracted, so add a rule about no cell phone use while driving and keeping the radio volume at a reasonable level.
Over-practice
While you don’t want your teen to get burnt out on driving, they will need extra driving time to ensure they are completely prepared for solo driving. Driver education classes are a great start, but the amount of actual driving time is hardly enough for your teen to develop consistency in their skills and fully grasp all aspects of driving. The requirements in each state for documented driving hours range from 40 to 60, but the number is a minimum suggestion. Plan for your teen to log two to three times that amount. Try to practice with them as often as possible at a minimum of 20 minutes per outing. While it may be tempting to take the wheel on a quick trip to the grocery store to get in and out as fast as possible, let your teen take on the driver’s seat. It may be a little slower going, but any learning opportunity will be beneficial.
Work your way up to practicing driving in rain, snow, or other hazardous weather conditions your area faces. Discuss safety precautions for these conditions – slower speeds, gradual braking, use of headlights, etc – even before you get in the car. The pressure your teen feels while driving is already great, so it’s important to plan ahead for particularly stressful conditions like inclement weather.
You should also practice some basic car maintenance skills and procedures like checking the pressure of tires and filling them, jumping the battery, and changing a flat. Make sure your teen knows where the necessary tools are kept and how to contact roadside assistance. Don’t underestimate the importance of getting these kinds of procedures down pat. Everyone feels frazzled when their car battery won’t start and your teen will be no exception, but if they’ve practiced a jump start repeatedly, they’ll have a much easier time recalling and focusing on the steps.
As a parent, there will most likely never come a time where you are not worried about your child, especially when they are driving. However, taking the time to assess your teen’s readiness, setting expectations, and practicing early will help your child become a safe driver while giving you the opportunity to rest assured knowing that you did your best job as a caring and concerned parent.