Even if you’re impressed with your teen’s driving skills and approach to safety, there’s always room for improvement. It’s up to you, as a parent, to share as many road safety tips as possible, all with the idea of helping your child avoid trouble.
The key to success is delivering the right tips at the right time, all in an easy-to-digest manner. Here are five you should share:
- Distractions cause accidents: Make it clear to your teenager that any type of distraction, such as texting or talking to passengers, greatly increases the chance of causing an accident. Also, share ways to prevent distractions, such as using a cellphone app designed to disable their phone when driving.
- Defensive driving is a must: Let your teen know that there will always be aggressive drivers on the road. Also let them know that they shouldn’t be one of them, as defensive driving is the safe approach.
- Slow down: It’s important for your teen to know the speed limit and obey it at all times. Just the same, they should know when it’s important to drive slower, such as in heavy traffic or inclement weather.
- Always wear a seat belt: There’s no gray area. Seat belts are proven to save lives, so it’s a must that your teen wears one at all times. You hope they’re never part of an accident, but wearing a seat belt can save their life or prevent serious injury.
- Drinking and driving is a big mistake: This topic will challenge you on many fronts. In addition to discussing the potential for drunk driving to cause an accident, you should also touch on how it’s illegal and can result in serious trouble with the law.
You can’t be with your teen every time they get behind the wheel, so it’s a must that you instill as much knowledge in them as possible. By following these safety tips, among others, they’re more likely to avoid trouble on the road.
If your teen is injured in a car accident, help them receive medical treatment, contact your insurance company on their behalf and take all the steps necessary to obtain compensation for damages.
