Driving is a big responsibility, especially for teenagers who are just starting to learn. Teaching your teens defensive driving habits can help keep them safe on the road.
Before your young drivers hit the road, share these important skills.
Stay alert
Encourage your teenagers to remain alert and focused while driving. Distractions, such as texting, talking on the phone or changing the music, can take their attention away from the road and lead to accidents. Stress the importance of keeping their eyes on the road and being aware of their surroundings at all times.
Follow the rules of the road
Make sure your teenagers understand and follow the rules of the road. Teach them about speed limits, traffic signs and signals. Emphasize the importance of obeying these rules to prevent accidents and stay safe while driving.
Maintain a safe following distance
Teach your teens the importance of maintaining a safe following distance behind other vehicles. Encourage them to keep a distance of at least three seconds between their car and the car in front of them. This gives them enough time to react and stop safely if the car in front suddenly brakes.
Anticipate potential hazards
Help your teenagers develop the ability to anticipate potential hazards on the road. Teach them to scan the road ahead for any obstacles, pedestrians or other vehicles that could pose a danger. Encourage them to be proactive and prepared to react quickly to avoid accidents.
Stay calm
Remind your teenagers to stay calm and patient while driving, especially in challenging situations such as heavy traffic or bad weather. Discourage aggressive driving behaviors like tailgating or speeding which can increase the risk of accidents.
By passing along these good habits to your teenagers, you can help them become safer and more responsible drivers.