Keep Your Teen Driver Safe on the Road
Teenagers dream of the day they finally get their driver’s license. Many parents, however, fear this day and are right to worry. According to several studies, drivers between the ages of 16 and 21 are 10 times more likely to be involved in a car accident than those aged between 30 and 59, owing perhaps to inexperience and inability to handle high-pressure situations. So what can parents do to ensure their children’s safety?
Many parents simply opt to put their children under their own insurance. However, this goes down a slippery slope as some individuals well into their 30s remain covered under their parents’ insurance policies. While this can be classified as a noble act, parents end up teaching–maybe unintentionally–their children to delay taking responsibilities for themselves.
Signing a teen-parent contract is an effective way to foster dialogue about safe driving between parents and teens, and the responsibilities one has in using a vehicle. The American Automobile Association (AAA) provides a simple teen driving contract parents can use to explain to their children the importance of safe driving. Parents might also want to consider inserting teen driving laws from states with stricter regulations, and incentives like a bonus for getting high grades.
Consider enrolling your children in a Gradual Driving Licensing (GDL System). According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), around 46 states implement the three-stage GDL system under which drivers start with a Learner’s Permit then move on to a Provisional License until they qualify for a Full License. Young drivers of used cars in Barrie can no doubt benefit from taking this course. The rules provide longer practice periods and require greater parent participation.
Parents should likewise insist on their children using seatbelts. Although not foolproof, seat belts significantly reduce fatalities from automobile accidents. Always practice good driving behavior as well and set a good example to your children. Forbid the use of mobile phones. Not only is it against the law, it is also one of the leading causes of car accidents. Sometimes, teen drivers of used cars in Barrie can benefit from the simplest of advices from their parents.
Before buying used cars in Barrie Ontario make sure you and your teen driver know about the relevant driving laws. In a separate study, researchers conducted phone interviews with 1,000 teenagers and their parents who had crashed and not crashed their vehicle. They found that 30 percent of teens who have never been involved in a car crash never violated traffic and driving rules during the first six months of their driving. Sixteen percent of teenagers who crashed their car reported that they violated the rules during the same period.
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