These Are The Driving Skills You Need To Teach Your Teenager Before Handing Over The Car Keys

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There are few milestones that can spark excitement in the way that getting your first car can. After all, it’s a new experience in itself and it allows us to venture further and faster. And of course, you can’t discount the fact that for a teenager, owning a car is pretty cool and in a way, it is a freedom that is bestowed.

But, like most freedoms, there are conditions that need to be met in order for an individual to be allowed to exercise those freedoms. That principle is one that the law is based upon and it can be applied to any life scenario. Those who are granted freedom without the ability to regulate themselves often end up doing harm to themselves, or worse, to others.

Driving is a big responsibility and there is no room for negligence. Negligence is characterized by a lack of skills and a lack of foresight. So, as parents, how do we nip the issue in the bud? We teach our teenagers properly.

Vehicle Tour

Help your teens familiarize themselves with the various parts and functions of the car. Focus mainly on the parts that are used for control and safety that they may not already know about. Small details like mirror adjustment, warning indicators, and seat adjustment are very important as they can help ensure a clear view of the road and they also provide information on the status of the car.

Basics

Even when your teen already knows the basics, a gentle reminder every now and then will go a long way in forming good habits. Put a heavy emphasis on checking the safety features of the car before even starting e.g. seatbelts are worn, mirrors are adjusted so the driver can see surroundings properly, no warning indicators are on, seat is adjusted properly to allow driver to operate pedals comfortably, etc. This also helps them avoid the most common driving mistakes that even seasoned drivers are guilty of.

When teaching your teen to drive, always start somewhere safe and where risks are minimal. An empty parking lot is a great example of this.

Driving Etiquette

Besides car accidents, road rage is one of the leading causes of vehicle-related deaths and injuries. Because of this, it’s important to teach drivers good manners. Good manners mean safety. A good example of this is the proper use of a horn, or when you come across a funeral cortege, it’s important to pull over to the side of the road until the cars have passed. The same applies to emergency vehicles like fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars. And, of course, don’t forget to talk about why they should never drink and drive.

Highway Driving

The rules of driving differ in the city versus when you’re on the highway. There are new principles here to discuss like the fact that higher speeds require longer — and therefore earlier — stopping, toll booth navigation, and new road signs and exits. As a general rule, start off with lighter traffic and ideal weather and gradually move to more adverse conditions.

Car ownership is a great way to help your teenager learn to be responsible for something and this phase should be taken more seriously. It may not be the first instance where your teen is required to adhere to rules, but it is one of the first instances where failure to do so could cause serious injuries which may even be permanent. In the event of an accident, it’s best to contact a car accident lawyer like the ones at Gruber Law Offices, LLC , one call that’s all. It should be emphasized that driving is not all about fun. It is a privilege that is granted only to people who have shown that they are able to adhere to the rules of the road.