As your teen gets closer and closer to the legal driving age, you both might be experiencing a bit of anxiety as you prepare for their time behind the wheel. And although there are good reasons for both you and your teen to be a little worried about their first forays onto the streets, with the right preparation, you both can feel confident in your teen’s abilities to stay safe and avoid potential car accidents.
To help you both accomplish this feat, here are three ways to prepare your teen to start driving.
Allow Your Teen To Come To You
While some parents can’t wait for their teen to start driving so they no longer have to shoulder this responsibility alone, many teens might not feel that they’re ready to start driving as soon as they come of age. Because of this, Wayne Parker, a contributor to Very Well Family, recommends that you allow your teen to take the initiative about driving once they’re ready.
If you try to push your teen into driving before he or she feels ready, they could be a danger to themselves and to others on the road. Not only this, but teaching them could be much more challenging, as they won’t want to learn or be excited about the time they’ll have to spend behind the wheel. So rather than forcing your anxious teen to drive, allow your teen to come to you when they feel ready.
Talk Frequently About Distracted Driving
One of the biggest dangers facing drivers, especially teen drivers, is distracted driving. With so much going on around them when they’re behind the wheel, it’s crucial that you talk frequently about distracted driving and how to handle themselves when their vehicle is in motion.
To help with this, try to set certain rules about distracted driving for your teen to practice even before they’re behind the wheel. This could include putting down their phone while in the car, keeping passengers quiet, scanning the mirrors, and more. According to HG.org, sending a text while driving increases your chances of getting in a car accident by 23 times, so make sure your teen knows how serious this danger is.
Set The Right Example
Your teen will have seen you driving for years before he or she ever sets foot behind the wheel themselves. Because of this, it’s important that you’re able to be a good example of what it means to be a safe and attentive driver.
Jane Parent, a contributor to YourTeenMag.com, shares that you should avoid doing things like eating, speeding, or using your phone while you drive so that your teen can see how important it is to give the road your complete and undivided attention.
If you’re going to be teaching your teen how to drive in the near future, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you prepare for this.
