If you’re a parent, teaching your teenager how to drive is one of those experiences that you may or may not be looking forward to. Tempers may flare, accidents may happen, and oftentimes, you’re unsure if you’re doing it right. But with 6 teens ages 16 to 19 dying every day from car crashes, you know that it’s imperative to teach your child good driving habits to stay safe while he or she is behind the wheel.
Here are some useful tips to teach your teen to drive safely and avoid getting into motor vehicle accidents.
Allow them to correct you
Once your teen has passed the written test, you have to give him a taste of independence by allowing him to correct you while you drive. If he thinks that you were too close to the car in front of you, if he reprimands you for using your phone while you’re driving, or if he points out that you forgot to signal while making a turn, have that conversation. Keep in mind that teenagers often learn risky driving behavior from their parents, so allowing your teen to correct you also makes you aware of your own habits when you’re behind the wheel. He’ll be more open to practicing with you once you’ve done this exercise several times.
Master the routes
Letting your child master his routes to school, work, or his best friend’s house can make him more confident when he’s on the road. Mastering a main route, plus an alternative route can also help in preventing him from getting into accidents.
Have some fun slogans
Don’t be so serious when teaching your child how to drive – try injecting a little fun into your practice sessions. Having a few fun slogans to correct him can help him to be more open to your teachings. For instance, instead of telling him to use his blinker, you can say, “Talk to the world.”
Other things that your teen driver needs to know
Once your teen has improved his driving skills, make sure that he knows the basics of car maintenance such as fueling up, checking fluids and tire pressure, and changing a flat tire. He should also learn about avoiding distractions, night driving, and what to do in case of an accident. Learning all these things can help your teenager become a confident, responsible, considerate, and safety-conscious driver.
