It is no doubt a scary endeavor to send your teenager out on the road for the first time. Well before your teen drives on the road by him or herself, you will have spent hundreds of hours in the car with them. Based on your modeling, and instructions on driving, you can help your teenager handle cars safely and boost their confidence as a new driver. It is true that teen drivers have three times the risk of getting into a car accident than their counterparts in their 20s, likely causing more property damage due to lack of experience.
Tips for Your Teens
The following tips can help your teenager navigate the road while behind the wheel. Preparing your child will also help them develop the skills to be able to handle surprises on the road. Moreover, your teen driver will feel more confident.
Tip #1: Keep Track of Driving Conditions
You may not have many opportunities to have your teenager drive in different weather conditions, depending on when he or she gets a learner’s permit and how long it is until a driver’s license is obtained. To help you have a full understanding of when and what type of conditions your teen has experienced driving, you should carefully document those events. Examples include driving:
- At dusk or dawn;
- At night time or in the dark;
- On wet roads;
- On icy or snowy roads; and
- In rush hour traffic.
Giving your teenager the opportunity to navigate through all of these conditions more than once will be beneficial later on when your child is on the road alone.
Tip #2: Practice Makes Perfect
Understand that learning to drive is a learned skill just like any other. While some teens will be naturals and catch on right away, others may take a bit longer to get the hang of driving. Giving your teenage driver plenty of time to practice will make them more comfortable later. Start by using an empty parking lot. This provides more maneuvering space and fewer opportunities for causing an issue if mistakes are made. As time goes on, increase the difficulty of the roads driven on until you are confident that he or she can handle peak traffic times and major highways.
Tip #3 Get Outside Help
Because different teachers can provide different approaches to learning how to drive, make sure you are not the only one teaching your teen driver. Doing so can also reduce your (and your child’s) stress levels related to learning how to drive. You can have your spouse, adult sibling, trusted friend, loved one, or someone else take on part of the responsibility. This will provide a better foundation for your teenage driver to take on at the start of their driving experience and throughout their years behind the wheel.
Tip #4 Be a Role Model
You practicing safe driving is important for your teenager to see, so that he or she has a good role model. When your child has a learner’s permit in hand, he or she may be paying closer attention to your driving habits than before. Explaining why you do certain things behind the wheel can help your child absorb good habits that can help them stay safe on the roadways.
Nevada Attorneys
Teaching a new teenage driver can be stressful, but you can help reduce those feelings by doing work on the front end. These tips can help prepare your child for an easier transition into safe driving. If your teen is involved in a Nevada car accident, especially if the crash was the fault of another driver, contact H&P Law. We will explain your teen’s rights and obligations under the law. Contact our Henderson or Las Vegas office today for your initial consultation.
