Teens are natural risk takers and believe they will live forever – a nasty combination when they start learning to drive. They will also start to forget all the valuable lessons you have taught them about finances in the past – temporarily, at least.
The result is a headstrong child driving in a lethal weapon, who knows that mom or pop will bail them out if they have a crash. And a young adult who doesn’t care about the fact you are worried about their safety.
So, how can concerned parents teach their kids about the value of driving safely – at all times? As I mentioned above, their innate confidence means they will think you are overly concerned. After all, they can drive perfectly well – the license they have in their wallet or clutch proves it, right?
credit
Forget about safety
First and foremost, forget about your safety concerns. Try and think back to when you were a teen. How many times did you listen to your parents when you went out for a night? What did you do when they told you to be careful or watch how much you drank? Or, when they asked you to make sure you drove slowly? It will go through one ear and straight out the other. You need a different tactic, and one that they know will impact them – money.
Talk about insurance
It’s OK to pay for your kid’s first car, and all the costs that go with it. But one tactic that might work for you is to make sure that your teen is aware they will foot the bill for any insurance increases. Now, as an adult with years of experience of driving a car, you might not remember how costly that can be. Teen auto insurance is extortionate enough as it is, but it skyrockets even further if they are involved in a crash. And a quick search online for an auto insurance comparison service will show them exactly what that will mean. They could be facing extra payments of over $100 or more every month.
credit
Talk about the impact of an accident
While your teen will care little for their own safety, they will care if it impacts on your family. So, let them know how much it will cost to hire a personal injury attorney in the event they have a crash. Point out that you might have to say goodbye to your family vacation, as you will need to take time off work to look after them in their hour of need. It’s even worth showing them precisely how much it costs to treat an accident at a hospital, including the ambulance fees, charges for X-rays and scans, and the price for staying overnight in bed. Even a teen from a wealthy background will wince at those figures!
Conclusion
Teens don’t go out with the express intent of causing trouble on the roads; it’s just the way their brains are wired. And their wild nature means no harm to anyone else; it’s just that they think they are superhuman. But with a little education in the right areas, you will be able to – hopefully – encourage your child to learn the financial implications of having a crash in a car.
