As a parent, you worry about your teenager getting his or her driver’s license and driving independently. This is a concern of yours since many teens get injured or killed in car accidents every year.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2019, 2,400 teenagers in the U.S. died in car accidents. Although you cannot change the actions of other drivers, you can help your teen learn safe driving habits that could prevent an injurious or fatal accident.
Set a good example
Whether you notice or not, your teen pays attention to the way you drive. Set a good example for your teenager behind the wheel by always wearing your seatbelt, not using your phone while you drive and following the rules of the road.
Give your teen plenty of practice
Before your teenager gets his or her driver’s license, provide ample opportunity to practice driving. Not only should you practice driving with your teenager, but you should also give him or her experience driving in different conditions, including driving at night, driving in inclement weather, etc.
Put rules on passengers
Many teenagers get into serious vehicle collisions because of distractions caused by other people in the car. For the first few months that your teen has his or her driver’s license, consider not allowing him or her to drive anyone else around.
Talk to your teen about driver safety before he or she earns a driver’s license. If your teen understands your expectations for safe driving, he or she may be more likely to practice good habits behind the wheel.