When your teen learns to drive, it’s essential to teach them a few important safety tips for the road. Here are a few of the most important safety tips to impart to your teen before they own a car.
Focus While Driving
There has been a drastic increase in accidents caused by drivers who are distracted while on the road. In fact, the percentage of drivers distracted by handheld devices increased from 0.2% to 2.9% between 2005 and 2019. The use of electronic devices has been linked to a large number of car accidents today. It can be tough for teens to learn how to put down the phone. You might even have trouble sometimes, even though you’re older. That’s why it’s so important to lead by example. If your teenagers see you using your phone while you drive, they will most likely follow that example.
High Speed Is Dangerous
Driving at high speeds is a serious threat to your teen’s safety. With an average of almost 16,348 car accidents happening daily in the U.S., imparting this safe driving tip is crucial. The main point to emphasize here is to adhere to the set speed limit. Failure to do that means your teen is more likely to be involved in car accidents, which could be fatal or cause lifetime injuries. This is why it is essential to keep your teen aware of how to pass safely and how to spot speed limit signs.
Respect Road Signs
As you give more driving lessons to your teen, they may feel confident that they have gained the necessary skills to hit the road. This is among the significant reasons they may find themselves ignoring road signs. Those signs have been installed for specific purposes. Some show you sharp corners, bumps, steep descents, and dangerous black spots. Ignoring such signage can land your child in trouble with the authorities or involved in an accident. Besides the road signs, it is also essential to remind your teens to be cautious of other road users. Motorcycle riders are a particular group to be on the lookout for. Their motorcycles can even get between two vehicles, making them prone to accidents. Some of the most significant causes of motorcycle accidents include being T-boned, head-on collisions, getting red-ended, distracted drivers, and changing lands.
Effective Communication Is Essential
It is hard to communicate with other road users while driving. This is the main reason why vehicles come with horns and lights to help other drivers know the decision you are about to make. This is why you must teach your teen how to use these features to communicate with other drivers effectively. Switching on the left signal and taking a right turn is a grave mistake resulting in a fatal accident.
Driving can be fun, but it has to be a practice the involves safe habits. The above tips should stick in your mind when teaching your teen how to drive.
