5 Parental Tips for Teen Drivers
September 07, 2010, By Victor Medina 0 comments
Teaching a teenager to drive seems like a perfect reason for a father to go medieval on their child. After all, driving is a far more dangerous activity today than it was just a decade ago. That doesn't mean you have to hide the keys to the station wagon until they turn 21. With some clear communication and realistic expectations, teaching your teen to drive won't have to require future therapy.
Every father has to accept the reality that if you want to teach your teen to drive safely, you will have to be the bad guy. It is inevitable because most teens will break many of the rules of driving, and you will have to be the enforcer. Do not look the other way if you discover your teen is speeding or driving distracted. They might hate you for a little while for cracking down, but you could save their life.
It is important that your teen knows the rules and consequences. If you take the lead in teaching your teen, make it clear that the wrong actions behind the wheel will trigger punishment. Failing to use a seat belt, breaking traffic laws, violating curfew and texting while driving must all have a consequence. Take away the keys for a week for a willful violation but punish them for a day for a forgetful mistake. It will be hard for your teen to argue if they know the punishment in advance.
Know the Law
Laws vary from state to state, but it is important that a father knows them. Some states do not allow teens to drive with other teens in the car while they have a permit. Other states ban the use of cell phones. Since a traffic cop can't always be there, you may have to step in and ensure your teen isn't breaking the law.
Know Your Teen's Maturity Level
You will know if your teen is ready to drive based on their attitude and maturity level. If your daughter spends more time checking herself out in the rearview mirror than checking out the road, you have some problems. If your son has a lead foot and wants to drive around aimlessly to show off, it's time to break out the short leash.
