If you are a teenager, you know how excited your child is to get on the road and start driving themselves around probably. However, when your teenager gets their license, you may worry about their safety and want to keep them safe, especially when they are first starting. You can use many methods to keep your child safe when they are driving so that you can ease some of your anxiety. Use the five methods in the list below to ensure that your teenager is always safe when they are on the road.
Only Allow So Many Passengers
In some states across the country, teenagers under the age of 18 are only permitted one passenger besides someone who is a family member. However, if your state does not have these laws, consider implementing your law similar to this one by only allowing your teen so many passengers. A full car can distract your teenager when driving, and they are more likely to want to show off in the vehicle, which can be dangerous. In addition, the statistics show that the more passengers there are in a car, the more likely someone will get into a car wreck.
Setup a Curfew
As you may know, it is typically more challenging to drive at night. This is especially true when someone is first starting to drive as it is more difficult to see and as drivers typically feel more tired late at night. Therefore, give your teenager a specific time that they need to be home so that they are off the road when these potential risk factors show up. You do not have to be super strict with your curfew by giving a time too early, but you should think about their safety.
Teach Driving Methods
If you are a safe driver, then your teenagers will be more likely to be safe drivers. Though they feel more independent at this age, most teenagers will ultimately still follow the example that you have set out for them. Make sure that you do not speed and that you do not have habits that exhibit the signs of aggressive driving. However, you can also teach your children how to be defensive on the road so that they can avoid other drivers who may be more dangerous.
Use Apps
Many mobile apps are now available that can help your teenager become a safer driver. Encourage them to download these apps, but be sure to tell them that they should not be on their phones while driving, as being on a mobile phone increases the chances of accidents. Some apps will detect when someone is driving and will automatically put your child’s phone on do not disturb. Other apps contain a log that showcases how many of the drives they had were safe so that you can hope to reward them in the future too.
Install GPS Technology
The final method to promote safe driving to your teenagers is to put a GPS tracker on their vehicles. This is especially true if you think that your teen is not the type who will be home by curfew every night. You can know where they are at any time, and if you have not heard from them in a long time, you can check the tracker. This will help you to determine if they are following your rules or if they are in danger and if you need assistance in bringing them home.
Final Thoughts
When your teenager obtains their license, you must allow them to have some freedom. However, it is also vital for you to set ground rules to know to be safe. Having a vehicle and a driver’s license is a big responsibility, so your teenager must know how to handle this responsibility with care. Use any of the tactics listed above to keep your teen safe no matter where they want to drive.
