Teen drivers remain among the most accident-prone groups on American roads. The group has the least licensed drivers but statistically represents the highest number of accidents.
State governments and motor vehicle agencies have added stipulations to the driver's licenses of some new drivers, including teenagers, to address the accident statistics.
Aside from government efforts, placing positive influences in front of teens is another way to tackle teenage driver accident data.
For example, parents must set an example for the new young drivers. Parents' influence over their kids never ceases, and driving is one more area where parents can positively impact their children.
What Is a Positive Influence on New Teen Drivers?
A positive influence on new teen drivers shows them how to obey traffic laws, share the road with other drivers and pedestrians, and stay safe while driving.
Car rental companies do not rent vehicles to individuals under 25. People under 25 years old need more driving and life experience. Therefore, the individuals pose higher claims, accidents, and non-payment risks.
Thus, it's safe to surmise that kids benefit from continuing to receive guidance and influence from their parents.
The following provides ways to be a positive influence on new teen drivers.
Set the Example
A positive influence starts with setting an example. Teenagers have watched and learned from their parents since their newborn days.
Therefore, parents should expect their children to continue watching them and emulating the examples set directly and indirectly by their parents.
Parents should remember that kids absorb what they see more than they hear.
Drivers who want their kids to wear seat belts while driving should ensure they wear them. On the same note, if they want their kids to avoid distracted driving, parents should avoid it themselves.
Wear a Safety Belt
With or without a newly minted teen driver, setting the example and being a positive influence means always wearing a safety belt while driving.
Some individuals still question the effectiveness of especially since the safety feature became mandatory in 1986 in states like California.
Parents who want to keep their children safe should influence them to follow traffic laws.
Obey Traffic Laws
Traffic laws come from conclusions derived from studies. Sometimes, traffic laws seem inconvenient and foreign to drivers. However, the rules establish standard practices among drivers.
For example, intersections become safe when all drivers respect the meanings behind red and green lights.
The same is true for stop signs. Intersections become safer when all drivers come to complete stops and look to the left and right. Then, proceed when it's their turn and clear to proceed.
Avoid Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is among the top causes of accidents for new and experienced drivers.
The practice includes:
- Talking on the phone, hands-free or not
- Texting or checking social media
- Eating while driving
- Having intense conversations with passengers
- Applying makeup
- Listening to music that's too loud
Individuals who want their teen drivers to avoid those bad habits should also avoid them.
Check out this article from Avian Law Group on how social media impacts a personal injury case.
Discuss Traffic Laws with Them
Parents send their kids to school and higher education to receive an education. However, most of a child's education occurs at home and under the guidance of their parents.
Thus, an individual's job as a parent never ends. Help new teen drivers respect traffic laws by discussing the regulations with them.
Discussing defensive driving strategies and the reasons behind speed limits in different zones might sound mundane. Nonetheless, teenagers benefit from walking through scenarios and how the laws apply.
For example, residential area speed limits range between 15 to 25 miles per hour to protect children who might run into the roads without warning.
Highways speed limits reach 60 to 70 miles an hour to help traffic flow. However, going above them can cause more deadly and far-reaching accidents.
Give Productive Feedback
Teenagers spend less time with their parents as they grow. However, teens still benefit from spending quality family time with mom and dad.
Once teenagers become newly minted drivers, ask them to drive the family to nearby restaurants, shopping centers, or ice cream shops.
During the drive, make mental notes on areas where they can improve and things they did well, but avoid backseat driving.
Instead, wait until arriving at the destination and grabbing a bite. Then, discuss how the drivers did and provide productive feedback.
Conclusion
Kids never stop needing their parent's influence - their needs just change. When a teen becomes a driver, be a positive influence by setting an example. Then, discuss traffic laws with them and provide productive feedback.
