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That day we pass our driving test, get our license and the keys to our very own car is more than just a pass, more than just a rite of passage and a thing to do; it is a child’s first step to freedom. It allows them to explore the world a bit more, gain some independence and financial freedom, and it allows you – the parent – the chance to have a little more time for you.
However, as wonderful as cars are, they are also extremely lethal and demand respect and responsibility. After all, they are still one of the biggest killer’s in the world and can destroy more lives than just those involved in a crash.
What’s more, those between 15 and 25 are at the most risk. That is why it is so important you teach your children the importance of road safety and responsible driving from as early as possible. It is all too tempting to treat these machines as toys, but they aren’t and it is the parent’s responsibility to ensure this message is understood.
Teenagers Feel Invincible
Teenagers tend to take more risks than anyone else, and that is because the area of the brain that is supposed to aid in good decision-making isn’t fully developed until the early to mid-twenties. That makes this quite a tricky topic to navigate because teenagers aren’t able to fully understand the potential dangers of driving. According to the experts at The Brown Firm who specialise in the law and automobile accidents, teenagers are also susceptible to seeking new sensations, which will see them test the boundaries and take risks. Of course, not all teenagers will exert the same level of risk-taking tendencies, but it is still imperative that parents are aware of these personality traits. As such, you should reinforce safety requirements such as seatbelts, mirrors, speed limits, drink driving and the use of cell phones at the wheel. All of these need to be taken seriously.
Inexperience Is An Issue
We all learn from experiences, it is the most beneficial means of learning; learning by doing. Driving is no different. An experienced driver learns how to handle a blowout, icy conditions, wet roads and more. An experienced driver knows what to look out for and can almost preempt an accident and thus do everything they can to avoid one. They have reflexive skills that come with time. Teenagers don’t, and this inexperience makes up a huge percentage of car crashes, which is why parents need to be proactive when it comes to helping their teens become more knowledgeable and experienced behind the wheel. Get them to put in their two pennies worth from the passenger seat when you drive around town. Get them to point out potential hazards and get an understanding of different traffic conditions. Then go out with them on long and short journeys where they are driving and see how they do, offer them guidance on certain things and how they could have better handles a certain situation. Give them confidence as well as an understanding of defensive driving skills and why they are so important in their well-being. A great rule to learn, and one that has certainly stuck in our heads since childhood, is that it’s better to be ten minutes late in this world than to be ten minutes early for the next.
Peer-Pressure Is A Killer
We have a duty, as parents, to teach kids how to handle peer pressure, because it can have a huge influence over our children, and that can be bad if your child is driving a car. There is a huge difference between cool and safe when it comes to youngsters and cars, and so kids may try to impress their friends with foolish behaviour. Luckily, recklessness seems to have calmed down since we were at school, and caring about things has gained a sort of kudos that wasn’t around a few years ago. But it is worth teaching your children the results of driving too fast and not wearing a seatbelt. This could be done by showing them statistics, or crash videos, or going to seminars where people talk about how a crash ruined their life. These may seem like drastic measures to take, but the safety of your child could demand that sort of approach. It is better to be safe than sorry after all.
Have Them Prove Themselves
Driving is privilege, not a right, and that is something you and your kids need to understand. S such, it could be worth emphasising this and explaining that your child needs to gain your trust and respect before they can enjoy the full freedom of life on the road.
