It can be especially nerve-wracking for parents when their children start driving, which is why we’re sharing five ways to help a teen driver avoid an accident. Modern vehicles are built with a range of safety and driver-assistance features to help anyone behind the wheel stay aware and protected. However, they’ll never be as effective as watchful driving. Therefore, remind your child of the importance of the following when they take the car out.
You’ve likely been going over seatbelt safety with your kid since they were little. However, the specifics of how to wear a seatbelt can be even more important for those in the front seats. The shoulder belt should rest across their chest and shoulder, not tucked in against their neck, and the lap belt is meant to rest on their hips rather than their stomachs.
The sight of your child sneaking glances at their smartphone is probably familiar. Unfortunately, this distraction poses significant risks behind the wheel. While some vehicles have voice-activated technologies that allow teenagers to answer calls or texts and keep their hands on the wheel, mental distraction also increases the risk of an accident, especially when they’re still learning and gaining driving experience. Therefore, encourage them to wait until they reach their destination to respond to anyone.
In Lexington, KY, those with a learner’s permit are only allowed to drive one person who isn’t family and under the age of 20 at a time. A licensed driver must also monitor them. However, even once they pass this stage, encourage them to limit the number of friends they give rides to, as multiple teenagers in the car can be chaotic and distracting.
Kids learn by example, so even if you feel comfortable only keeping one hand on the wheel or adjusting the sound system mid-drive, they may be watching and could emulate your behavior in the future. The same goes for other driving habits you might take for granted. Instead, make a point of following all speed limit signs, using your turn signal, and asking your front-seat passenger to adjust the climate control system.
Preventive maintenance is important for any driver, so the last of these five ways to help a teen driver avoid an accident involves keeping an especially careful eye on the car your child drives. For example, oil changes and tire rotations can reduce the risk of engine overheating and blowouts, which can contribute to accidents. Make sure your teenager knows to pay attention to any unusual behavior from their vehicle and to check tire pressure levels regularly. Getting new tires before winter can also reduce the risk of skidding.
While our body shop in Lexington, KY, can help in the aftermath of an accident, we want to help you avoid that situation in the first place.
Unfortunately, incidents do happen even if you’ve communicated these five ways to help a teen driver avoid an accident. We encourage you to go over with your teenager how to respond in case of a collision, including steps to make sure they are safe and healthy afterward. You can also contact us if your teen has been in an accident so that we can take a look at your vehicle. We cover everything from small fender benders to more extensive auto body repairs and can communicate with your insurance company to take some of that stress off your shoulders.
