If your teenager just turned 16, it’s likely that the first thing that he or she does is get a driver’s license. While this is a typical rite of passage for American teens, it’s no secret that being on the road can be very dangerous for young drivers. According to the CDC, 2,333 teens in the US ages 16 to 19 were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2015, which means that six teens died every day of vehicular accidents in that year alone. As parents, it’s only natural for us to worry about our children’s safety, yet at the same time, we also want to give them some room to grow and be independent during their teen years. This is why it’s imperative to let them hone their driving skills and teach them to drive safely at all times.
The worst driving habits of teen drivers
New data reveals that teens are more than one-and-a-half times more likely than adults to be involved in a deadly car crash. And while inexperience may play a part in teen car accidents, it was found that the most common driving mistakes that teens make are poor visual scanning, speeding, and distracted driving. Apart from getting auto insurance to protect your asset, you should also take concrete measures to prevent your child from getting into a deadly car crash. Here are some tips you can use to improve your teen’s driving skills.
Improve visual scanning skills
Most teenagers usually just look down the road in front of the car when they start driving. To help your child improve his visual scanning skills, instruct him to look two to three times further down the road. Your teen should also widen his peripheral vision so he can anticipate what’s coming and react accordingly and promptly. Remind your child to constantly check his mirrors and his blind spots especially before changing lanes so he can stay safe while he’s behind the wheel.
Obey speed limits
Let your teen know that obeying speed limits is the only way to drive safely and properly. If you’re riding along and notice that your child is speeding, try reminding him about the speed limit by asking, “What’s the speed limit here?” Doing so is a better way to correct your child rather than telling him that he’ll get a speeding ticket if he doesn’t ease up on the gas pedal.
Avoiding distractions
One of the most common driving mistakes that teens make is not being focused while they’re on the road. Most teens often do other things while they’re behind the wheel such as eating, scrolling through a playlist on their phone, texting, or even taking driving selfies. Encourage your child not to eat while driving and to stop at a convenience store or a restaurant if they’re really hungry. It’s also a good idea to remind your teen to turn off his phone while driving so there are fewer chances of getting distracted and getting into a car crash.
Follow these tips to help your teen to improve his driving skills. Doing so will help your child stay safe while he’s on the road, and more importantly, he will learn to become a responsible driver now and in the future.