Do you have a first-time driver in your home? While seeing your child get behind the wheel for the first time can be exceptionally nerve-wracking, as long as you teach your child the importance of driver safety, your worries will subside. Don’t know where to start? Here are some simple driver safety tips that will keep car accidents at bay and your child as safe as can be while on the road.
Get accustomed to the car
One of the biggest worries of first-time drivers is that they don’t really understand the massive machine they are driving. A car has so many components, and while seasoned drivers don’t think twice about them, these small details can be quite intimidating. So, to bypass any additional fear and apprehension, make sure your child gets familiar with the car before they start driving. This means going over the manual, teaching them the functions of the dashboard, and having them test out the strength they need to brake and turn the steering wheel.
Don’t immediately head to the road
Other drivers can be quite impatient on the road, so make sure your child’s first time behind the wheel is somewhere they are alone. Cemeteries and store parking lots after hours are great places to go just so your child can get the feel of the car under them before hitting the road.
Emphasize the importance of driver education
Your child may feel a little overconfident now that they are old and mature enough to operate a vehicle. However, driving a car is a serious responsibility and needs to be taken as so. In order to drive home the risks associated with driving a car, enroll your child in driver’s education courses. Here they not only will learn about operating the vehicle but the risks that come with it such as bodily injury and fatal car accidents. For example, motor vehicle traffic injury is the leading cause of traumatic brain injury deaths, with the highest being for adults ages 20 to 24 years. While it can be unsettling to talk about these facts, it is crucial for your child to know the risks so they can be safe.
It is important for any driver to completely understand the responsibilities that come with driving a vehicle. These simple driver safety tips just skim the surface, but they are a great point to start.
