There is a growing amount of Americans now driving on the road. Currently, it’s estimated that there are about 228 million Americans with driver’s licenses. A good majority of these new drivers are teenagers. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your child is a responsible driver.
You can do many things to ensure that your child is a responsible driver. Here are five of the most important ones.
Teach Them The Basics
Before your child can start driving, they need to understand the basics of a car. It includes checking the oil levels, changing a tire, and jumpstarting a car. If your child knows how to do these things, they’ll be less likely to get into an accident.
You should also teach them about the different parts of a car. This way, if something goes wrong, they’ll be able to speak to a mechanic about it.
You should also teach them the basics before driving. These basics include fastening their seatbelt, using the blinkers, and turning on their headlights.
Take Them On a Road Trip
After your child has learned the basics of driving, you should take them on a road trip. It will allow them to practice what they’ve learned in a real-world scenario. It’s also a good bonding experience for you and your child.
Some good long roads you should take are the Pacific Coast Highway, Route 66, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Each road has different challenges to help your child become a better driver.
However, ensure that you’re taking them on a road trip that’s not too long. You don’t want to overload your child with driving. Start with a short road trip and work your way up to longer ones. Slowly but surely, your child will become a more confident driver.
Test Their Patience
One of the essential qualities of a good driver is patience. Good drivers don’t speed, tailgate, or honk their horns excessively. They also know how to deal with difficult situations, such as getting cut off in traffic.
You can test your child’s patience by making them drive in heavy traffic. It will allow them to practice their patience and see how they react in a difficult situation. If you think your child is getting too impatient, have them pull over and take a break. They must stay calm while driving.
Other activities will teach them patience. For example, you can do yoga or meditation with them. It’s also good for anxiety if your child experiences it when driving. You can also have them read books or listen to calm music. These are great ways to teach your child how to be patient.
Communicate Well
You must communicate well with your child while they’re learning to drive. This means giving them clear instructions and being patient with them. They’ll be less likely to listen to you if you get angry with them.
Role-playing and active listening are excellent communication exercises you can do with your child. Role-playing will allow you to act out different scenarios with your child. This way, they’ll be better prepared for them when they’re driving. Active listening is when you listen to your child without interrupting them. This way, you can understand their concerns and help them through difficult situations.
It’s also vital that you give them feedback after they’ve driven. Let your child know what they did well and where they need to improve. It will help them become a better driver.
Let Them Take a Driving Course
It’s a good idea to let your child take a driving course. This will give them extra practice and help them learn more about driving. It’s also an excellent way to bond with your child, as you can take the course together.
A driving course will teach your child the rules of the road. They’ll also learn how to parallel park and reverse into a parking spot. These are two skills that all drivers should know how to do. A DMV-approved driving course offers all of these things and more. These courses also have a good reputation and will teach your child what they need to know.
Courses are an effective way to learn but are not the only way. You can also let your child practice driving in different areas. It could be in an empty parking lot or on a quiet street. Let them practice as much as they need to until they’re confident behind the wheel.
Being a responsible driver on the road should come from every parent. Every tip on this list is essential, but the most important thing is that you’re there for your child. They need your guidance and support while they’re learning to drive. With your help, they’ll become a responsible driver in no time.
