Getting a driver’s license as a teen comes with a lot of responsibility. Every time your teen gets behind the wheel, there’s a likelihood of an accident which can cause fatal injuries and many other adverse health effects. This is quite terrifying for most parents, and many hinder their teens from driving altogether. This shouldn’t be the case, though! Teens can drive safely, and there are many ways to keep them safe. These include;
- Install modern safety features
Ensure that your car is in top condition and install the best safety features. These can be a lifesaver and will minimize the cases of teen-related accidents. The best vehicle safety features for teenage drivers include;
- Automatic emergency braking
- Blind spot detection
- Forward collision warning
- Rearview camera
- Adaptive headlights
- Tire pressure monitoring systems and more
All these features perform distinct functions to keep drivers safe on the road. For instance, the rear camera offers enhanced visibility, which avoids backing into other vehicles and pedestrians. Similarly, blind spot detection identifies vehicles or objects at the sides and the rear-end of your rear that you can’t easily recognize.
- Discourage drunk driving
Teens are notorious and can try all drugs, including cannabis and alcohol. No amount of alcohol is safe, and a few sips can cause significant accidents on the road. Therefore, ensure that your teen doesn’t drink and drive. This is against the law and can lead to imprisonment, mainly if the accident involves other road users or passengers. Also, be a role model and always set a good example as a parent. Most teens copy behaviors from their parents and will drink if they usually see you drive when drunk.
- Educate them on common distractions
Distractions are common and affect most teen drivers. These can be in the form of texting and chatting over the phone while driving. This is dangerous for teens and inexperienced drivers and can lead to collisions. Train your teen on the dangers of using the phone while driving and the benefits of limiting the passengers. This can also cause distractions, especially when the passengers are male or drunk.
- Supervise!
Over speeding is common among most teen divers and can be fatal. Supervise your teen and ensure that they follow the speed limits as per the regulations in your state. Also, lead by example and avoid overspending too.
Night driving is yet another issue that requires a lot of experience and skills. Allow your teen to drive at night and supervise them often. This way, they will learn how to do this right and handle harsh weather conditions while driving. Teen drivers are more likely to crash at night; only allow them to drive if they have adequate skills.
Final thoughts
There are multiple ways to help teen drivers stay safe on the road. First of all, install safety features in the car to enhance their safety. Also, educate them on the basic road rules and distractions that can lead to accidents. Information on the effects of drunk driving will also go a long way. Besides, most car crashes result from DUI driving.
