How can teenagers be convinced to drive more safely?
Teens don’t listen. It’s just a fact. Every once in a while you’ll find one that is calm and cooperative, but generally speaking, you have to be pretty convincing if you want a teenager to do something that goes “against their nature” – like driving safely.
But for something as important as safety on the roads, it’s essential to make an impression on teens. The consequences of driving recklessly can lead to expensive repairs, higher insurance premiums, injury, and even death.
Tell Personal Stories Rather than giving a lecture, try telling your kids about a personal experience about the dangers of reckless driving. Perhaps you were a stupid teenager once, who learned about the consequences of speeding or distracted driving the hard way. Or maybe you were the victim of a bad teen driver. Enforce Driving Rules Especially for beginner drivers, it’s always smart to put a few rules in place. For instance: no driving after 9PM, no friends in the car, no loud music, no talking on the phone while driving, etc.
If your teen is doing a great job of driving safely, allow them more driving privileges, or help them out with insurance or car payments. Teaching your teen to drive requires considerable patience, empathy, and the knowledge of what is needed to best prepare her to become a skilled, responsible driver. Many parents understandably approach this task with trepidation and high anxiety. The following suggestions, facts, and tips will help you know what to do and what to expect when you and your teen put the rubber to the road.
• Although many kids still take some formal driver-education training before they get their driver's license, the most influential training they receive comes from observing their parents' behind-the-wheel skills, judgment, and behavior.
• Motor vehicle accidents are the primary cause of death among our nation's teens, killing 5,000 youngsters each year. This fact alone suggests that parents need to establish clear and firm conditions, limits, and rules regarding their teens' obtaining their licenses.
Veteran driver-education instructors usually recommend at least 40 hours of supervised driving (most states require only 6) on all kinds of roads and in all kinds of situations (nighttime driving, rush hour driving, driving in the rain and snow, etc.).
• Once you have told your teen that you will allow her to begin learning to drive, let her be the one to take the initiative to get the driver-education ball rolling. If your teen is not driving you crazy about teaching her to drive, she's probably too nervous to begin the process. Don't bring up the question of her anxiety. Just let her know you're ready to begin when she's ready.
• If you are going to be your teen's driving coach/instructor, it's essential that you both know what to expect from each other before you get in the car together. It's always best for your child to know beforehand where you're taking him and what you'll be working on: "Today we're going on Route 128 during rush hour to practice high-speed driving, changing lanes and getting on and off exit ramps."
• A teenager's physical dexterity and reflexes are finely tuned at this stage of his psychomotor development. Parents can see and be comforted by their child's improving physical skills behind the wheel.
It’s important for them to know that the only reason you bug them so much about driving safely is because you love them and want them to stay safe. And by following these simple suggestions, you should be able to instill a sense of driving safety into your kids without being a pesky parent.