“I’m going out with some friends!” For most parents, this phrase is as cherished as it is worrisome the first time they hear it. Letting your teen out on their own for the first time can be overwhelming. And it’s understandable. After all, they’re still a child in your eyes, and you only want to make sure they get home safe and happy. These are some new driver tips on how defensive driving helps avoid accidents.
Be Patient
Defensive driving requires patience. Maybe your teen has already begun to practice some tolerance with a younger sibling, or perhaps they need to make some behavior changes. Being able to control your emotions in daily life transfers to the road. The key to staying safe on busy roads is not allowing reckless driving to affect you personally.
Safety is Priority
Unfortunately, cars aren’t built like tanks. Most vehicles are more fragile than you may think. At high speeds, irresponsible choices can have dire consequences. Emphasize the importance of your child’s safety and make sure they understand the danger of reckless driving. When young drivers understand the consequences of unsafe driving, they are more likely to come home safe.
For example, make it clear that your teen should not speed even when running late for something. Explain that they should accept when they are behind schedule and maintain the speed limit. Young people are often tempted to speed when they’re late because they don’t realize how much time they really have.
Staying Alert
It is imperative to recognize and act on hazards when driving on busy streets or late at night. Whether there is a wobbly car up ahead or someone is tailgating you, it is important to be alert in these situations. Acting properly to avoid hazards prevents conflict with other drivers and ensures you arrive at your destination no worse for wear.
Weather Influences Driving
It is essential to know how to drive in heavy rain, snow, and on dark roads. Reckless drivers tend to treat a road freshly covered with snow no differently than they would if they were driving in summer. Defensive drivers know to add distance and go slower than usual when dealing with bad weather that hinders driving conditions.
These new driver tips on how defensive driving helps avoid accidents are excellent guidelines for your teen to keep in mind. By talking to your young driver about these practices, you won’t have to worry when they announce their departure for a day with friends. As time passes, their confidence in these skills will grow, so take pride as you watch your teen grow into the responsible and safe driver you taught them to be.
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo 