Getting your license as a teenager can be both an exciting and scary time.
Ultimately, spending more time behind the wheel can make teenagers better drivers. However, they need to develop a routine and practice safe driving habits right from the start. That routine should include some preliminary vehicle checks before getting on the road. Sharing helpful tips for teen drivers can teach your new driver to be safer on the road and reduce the risk of an accident.
While accidents are common among teenage drivers, it doesn’t mean they are always at fault. Unfortunately, most insurance companies like to point the finger at the younger, more inexperienced driver. If your teenager is injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you should hire a personal injury attorney to help you pursue a claim.
What to Do Before Starting the Car
Making sure you have a safe journey starts before you ever get into the vehicle. It’s crucial to teach your teenagers to conduct safety checks on their car before going out. Don’t go for a drive without first:
- Making sure nothing is obstructing your vehicle;
- Checking the air in each of your tires;
- Cleaning your windows;
- Checking your vehicle’s fluid levels;
- Adjusting your seat so you are comfortable and can reach the pedals comfortably;
- Putting on your seatbelt;
- Adjusting your mirrors and steering wheel;
- Checking your warning lights on the dashboard;
- Verifying your brakes are working; and
- Making sure your gears are working.
Failure to make sure the vehicle is working can result in problems while driving. For one, the car could break down. For another, your teenager could cause an accident if a tire blows out or they are unable to see other vehicles because the mirrors are not correctly adjusted.
How to Prevent Distracted Driving
To get your new drivers ready for the road, sit down and discuss helpful safety tips for teen drivers. Encourage your teen not to engage in bad habits by setting a good example. You should not be on your phone or doing anything else that takes your eyes off the road whenever you drive; otherwise, you can’t expect your teenagers to do the same. Talk to them about the importance of safety behind the wheel. Address some of the most significant sources of distractions and how to eliminate them.
Phones represent a primary source of distraction for many drivers, no matter their age. Teenagers are even more absorbed in their phones, so it’s imperative to make sure they put the phone down while driving. Consider a teen driving app that will silence their phones behind the wheel. Some apps automatically start when driving and can send an alert to a parent if their teenager turns it off or disables it.
Another common distraction is your teenager’s friends. In fact, other kids in the car might be the number one distractor, according to some studies. Have a serious talk with your kids about not having friends in the car while they are driving. Set some ground rules, like not allowing anyone else in the vehicle until your teen has at least a year of driving experience.
Teenagers are also attached to their music. Listening to music isn’t necessarily the problem; it’s when they go to change stations or playlists. To eliminate this issue, have them create a playlist for the vehicle that they can use during their drive time. Discuss volume levels as well. Teenagers need to keep the volume lower so they can listen for emergency vehicle sirens and other drivers honking their horns.
Cut out other possible distractions by telling your teenager not to eat while driving. If they drive somewhere unfamiliar, have them map out the route ahead of time. That will eliminate the need to rely on GPS while driving.
Safest Day of the Week to Drive
Try to keep your teenage drivers safe by not allowing them to drive on the most dangerous day of the week. According to a study using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the safest day of the week to be on the road is Tuesday. The most dangerous day is Saturday. Not surprisingly, Friday and Sunday are the second and third deadliest days to be on the road. Weekends see more vehicles on the street in general, which can lead to an increase in accidents. More drunk drivers on the weekends contribute to higher numbers of fatalities as well.
Try to establish open communication with your kids about staying safe on the road and regularly share various teen drivers safety tips. But keep in mind that no matter how well you prepare your teenager for dangers while driving, an injury accident can still happen. Don’t let the other party’s insurance pin all the blame on your child without an independent investigation. After an accident, consider talking with a personal injury attorney who can help protect your family’s rights and keep the insurance company from taking advantage of the fact that there’s a teenage driver involved.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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