One of the rites of passage for every teenager is getting on the road. As a parent, it can be incredibly stressful to see your baby get behind the wheel and head out on their own. Before they grab the keys and take to the open road, there are some things you can do to help make sure they’re the safest they can be.
Driver’s Ed Courses
The first way you can prepare your teenager for the road is by enrolling them in driver’s ed. Whether you’ve helped to teach them how to drive or not, a professional instructor can give your child tips and tricks to stay safe on the road. Many of these teachers have either worked for the DMV in the past or are still associated with them, so you can rely on their expertise for up-to-date information on driving tests.
When your child takes a Safer Drivers Course, they get insight on how to deal with multiple road conditions, other drivers, and stressful driving situations. Many of these circumstances wouldn’t come up naturally without a class, so you can rest easy that your teen is prepared to handle anything that comes at them when they hit the road.
Vehicle Safety
The next way to help your teenager get ready for the road is by making sure your vehicle is up to date on its safety measures. It’s natural as a parent for you to want your child to be as safe as possible at all times. The same goes for when they’re in the car. Modern vehicles have hundreds of safety features, each designed to protect the drivers and passengers. Before your teenager gets behind the wheel, make sure your car is ready to keep them safe.
One way you can ensure your vehicle is ready is by checking your airbags. If you have a vehicle made after 2002, your airbags are designed to last as long as your car does. For vehicles produced prior to that, you may want to replace your airbags to ensure they deploy properly in the event of a crash. While there may not end up being issues, the risk of them being damaged or recalled after their 15-year mark is one you can avoid with some easy maintenance.
Hard Conversations
The third way you can protect your teenager on the road is by having some hard conversations with them. Part of growing up is learning responsibility, and part of that responsibility is knowing how to be safe around adult substances.
Before your teen gets behind the wheel, they need to know the pitfalls of underage intoxication. While it may look glamorous and fun when their friends offer alcohol or drugs, your child needs to know how dangerous it is to drive intoxicated. Make sure you have a safety plan in place for your teen in case they do take something. Whether you pick them up or make plans to call a cab, your young ones should know they’re safe to call you for help.
Wrapping It Up
Getting your kids on the road will always come with some slight stress, but you don’t need to fear for their security. With these tips, you can rest easy knowing that your teens have all the tools they need for road safety.
