When your child becomes old enough to drive, you may find yourself nervous to let him or her get behind the wheel. However, this important step in independence does not have to be scary if you have rules in place before your child hits the road.
You can help your teenage driver avoid accidents by setting clear standards and reminding him or her that driving is a privilege that you can revoke if he or she chooses not to comply. The following rules are a must for any young driver.
1. No cell phones, ever
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, teens are six times as likely to crash when using a cell phone to make a call, while texting increases that risk to 23 times. As such, make it a rule that no cell phones are ever allowed at all, including hands-free.
2. Seatbelts required by everyone in the car
It is common knowledge that seatbelts save lives, but some teenage drivers think they are too cool to put them on. Make it clear that you expect everyone in the car, including passengers, to buckle up any time the vehicle is moving.
3. Follow all laws
When a teen driver has completed drivers’ education, he or she should be well-versed in New Jersey’s traffic laws. Require your young driver to follow all laws, especially speed limits, with the consequence of breaking them being losing the privilege to drive.
You can keep your teenager safe on the road when you put rules in place. Avoiding car accidents should be every parents’ goal.