Any parent wants their teen to make it
successfully behind the wheel. But once they are behind the wheel, you want to
make sure they’re doing their best to drive as safely as possible, too. Getting
them behind the wheel of a car legally is one thing, but making sure they drive
safely even when you’re not there is a whole different ball game. Here are some
pointers that can help you to do both. Take a look at how you can help your
teen and give yourself peace of mind at the same time:
Have A Serious Talk With Them About Driving
Before you allow your teen to drive, you need to
make sure that they are prepared for this enormous responsibility. Sixteen is
still a very young age to drive a car. Teenager’s brains are still developing
and learning. This doesn’t mean they are incapable of driving correctly, just
that some teens are going to be more ready than others. It can be tough to see
through your own child as a parent, but do your best to assess whether they are truly ready or not. They may
be begging you to let them drive, but if you know they aren't mature enough to
understand the implications of dangerous driving, you shouldn’t give into them.
When you talk to your teen about driving, make
sure they know what it’ll mean. They’ll be in control of heavy, deadly piece of
machinery. Being out on the road will be scary. They’ll be tempted to show off.
Their friends will distract them. Make sure they know all of the dangers and
risks associated with driving and that they will take them seriously.
Once you feel confident that your teen will take
everything seriously enough, you can move on to the next step.
Take Them Out In Your Car
Taking your teen out in your car for the first
time can be scary, so make sure you go somewhere quiet and don’t chuck them in
at the deep end. They should enjoy this time in the car, but make sure they're
careful and conscious as they maneuver. If they seem to be getting a little bit
too cocky, it could be a sign that they still aren't ready to have a car or a
license of their own.
If they are careful, listen to you while behind
the wheel, and do their best to be safe and responsible, this is a great sign
that your teen is ready to learn properly and own their own vehicle.
Be A Good Teacher
If you want to help your teen get behind the
wheel, you need to be a good teacher. Staying calm
while you're out in the car with them is imperative. If you shout and scream at
them every time they make a mistake, you’re going to dampen their spirit and
they might not want to learn anymore. They’ll learn faster if you see things as
a learning curve and try to put a positive spin on things. This doesn’t mean
you can’t have a serious talk to them if they are blatantly taking risks and
being silly. However, if they are trying their best, practice staying as
stress-free as possible.
Find The Right Type Of Courses For Them
You won’t be able to teach your teen to be a
brilliant driver on your own. They’re going to need further training with
certified professionals to help them really master this skill. You can look
into traffic safety courses, crash courses, and
even online courses and resources that can help them to expand their skills.
Make sure you look together and let them have some input too. It’ll make
learning all the more enjoyable and rewarding for them.
Find A Great Instructor
A great instructor for private tuition is always
a good idea. They may be able to teach your teen things you wouldn’t be able
to, and you can make sure you liaise with them to get an outside opinion on how
your child is doing.
Always Set A Great Example With Your Own Driving
If you’re not setting a great example with your
own driving, your child is going to copy you. It doesn’t matter what you say or
what you do. If you’re driving like a lunatic, getting road rage at every
opportunity, and using your phone while you drive, your teen will copy you.
Start setting an example for them as early on as possible, and not just once
they begin to learn.
Put Reasonable Expectations In Place
Make sure you chat to your teen about your
expectations once they have their own permit. For example, no night time
driving, no driving with more than two friends in the car, and anything else
you feel will keep them safe while they get used to the road.
Download Apps To Keep Tabs On Your Teen
It’s not that you don’t trust your teen, you just
want peace of mind. These apps can help to give you peace of mind. There are
apps that lock your teen’s cell phone when they are driving faster than 10mph,
and calls will go straight to voicemail (Sprint Drive First - $2 a month).
Teenager Speedster is an app that will alert you
when your child is speeding in their vehicle, whether as a passenger or a
driver.
Take a look at the app store and reviews and
you’ll find plenty of similar options. You can find apps that block texts and
send automatic replies when a car is moving, and even apps that can give you a
Google Map link and speed of the vehicle. Some apps will also read text messages aloud without
your teen having to look at their phone.
Many of these apps can be downloaded with both
iPhone and Android, can be personalized to suit you, and cost a very reasonable
amount.
Hopefully, this information helps you to feel
better about getting your teen behind the wheel. Leave your thoughts below!
