Ten Simple Tips for Keeping Your Teen Driver Safe

When your teenager first gets their driver's license, it is a very exciting time for them. For parents, on the contrary, it can be a time filled with stress and worry. Everyone wants to be sure that their teen driver is safe behind the wheel of their car. The trouble is there is no one way to make sure that your children are as safe as they can possibly be. Here are ten helpful hints for parents of teen drivers.

You are the Boss

Remember who the boss is. You are the parent and it is you who can decide when your child can drive and when they cannot. For your teenager, driving ought to be a privilege, not a right. If they break the rules, it is perfectly acceptable to take away their car keys. It might make for some rather heated discussion but that is a far better alternative to a vehicle accident caused by reckless driving.

Get Involved with Your Teen Driver

Be a part of the process. Help your teenager prepare for their first driving test. This can be a real revelation for parents as well, as there are probably one or two road rules that have been forgotten. Helping your child prepare can help to establish your authority on the subject.

Talk to Your Teenager About Driving

Talk to your teenager. This may seem obvious but parental talks can make an impact. A frank and honest discussion about the dangers of reckless driving can help. If you have lost friends in the past due to reckless driving or if you have been in a vehicle accident due to reckless driving, talk about it with them. Honesty is the best policy. Simply saying "Do not drive recklessly," is not enough. Let them know why.

Lead by Example

Lead by example. If your children have grown up with a reckless driver, they are more likely to drive recklessly themselves. Telling your teenage driver not to speed is hardly going to have any impact if you speed yourself. It is important to be a good example.

Monitor Their Vehicle for Signs of Reckless Driving

Monitor your car for signs of reckless driving. Reckless driving will leave telltale signs. If your tires are wearing out too quickly, it could be a result of reckless teenage driving. Flat spots on the tires can develop because of sudden braking. This is another clear indicator.

Pay for Their Gas

Pay for the gas. Gasoline consumption can be a good indicator of how they have been driving. Get to know the mileage that you can expect from a full tank. The next time you fill up, reset the trip meter. High speed driving burns significantly more fuel. If the car needs to be refueled earlier than it would normally, it is a clear indicator of speeding. Note that this technique will probably only work once. If your teenage driver becomes aware of what you are doing, he or she will probably resort to topping off the gas tank.

Send Your Teen Driver to a Good Driving School

Find a good driving school. Driving instructors vary in quality. You want a driving instructor who is passionate about their job. The habits that they teach can last your child a lifetime. Teen driving instruction is quite a difficult skill to master. It is often better to put the teaching in the hands of people that do it for a living.

Get to Know Their Friends

Get to know their friends. Your teenager might not want you to be hanging out with his or her friends but you should get to know the people with whom they surround themselves. Your teenager's driving habits are likely to be heavily influenced by their peer group. If their friends are driving sensible cars, it can be a good indication that they are driving sensibly.

Buy Their Car

If you can afford it, buy the car. This might seem extreme to some parents, especially those that learned the value of saving for their own first vehicle purchase but it can help to keep your child safe. It is a fact that modern automobiles incorporate safety features that do not exist in older models. By buying their car, you are able to choose a model that is safe and sensible. Often, teenagers driving vehicles that are too powerful for them to control are the cause of many driving accidents.

Talk to Your Mechanic

If all else fails, talk to your mechanic. There is a wide range of modifications that your mechanic can make to restrict the performance of a vehicle. If your teen driver is frequently speeding, you might want to install a speed governor or monitoring device. Your mechanic can advise you of what is best for your situation.

About the Author

Andre Zayas is a professionally syndicated author.