Are you a parent gearing up to teach your teen how to drive? When your child obtains their license, it will be a significant milestone for them. They may know the basics of operating a car, but teaching them the mentality they need for unexpected situations is essential. So brush up on your defensive driving as you teach your kids these vital points.
Stay Focused on Driving
This one may seem obvious, but everyone forgets. Whether you want to change the radio, answer your phone, eat your meal, or touch up your makeup, many distractions take our attention away from the road every day. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates drivers under 20 years old are most prone to driving distractions. Emphasize that they need to build their skills and should limit all distractions as much as they can.
Look Ahead and Keep Your Distance
Defensive driving concentrates on road preparedness for the unexpected. Most drivers look at the back of the car in front of them. Let your teen know that they should be looking several cars ahead. Their peripheral vision is enough to get them where they need to be safe if they scan the road. Lengthen the distance between your vehicle and others to give yourself the most reaction time if something does need your attention in the peripheral.
Learn to Let Things Go
Road rage is prevalent. While you might even feel angry as someone cuts your teen off abruptly on the road, remember that everyone makes mistakes. Set a good example for your teen driver and remind them that everyone makes mistakes. Even if that was done on purpose, road rage often leads to murder. You never know who is behind the wheel. Tell your teen to back off as much as possible when encountering a potentially dangerous situation.
Prepare for the Worst
If your teen is learning how to drive, they must know what to do in the event of an accident. This preparedness will help with the confusion and anxiety following a collision. Check out this guide from All-State to help you get started. Choose a repair shop you trust if you need to restore your car to its previous condition. We have a free estimate tool that will allow you to send in pictures and talk with a representative without even coming in. Our Gold-Class certified technicians will walk you through every step of the process before they do any work. See which location is near you and get your teen fully prepared!