There are many difficult things about being a parent, and talking to your teen is high on the list. This is a scary topic for many parents, but it is an important one because it could save the life of your teen. There are just about 1.4 billion cars registered in the U.S., and many of those drivers are less than reliable. Car accidents are one of the top causes of death for teenagers. Teenagers do not have the necessary experience to recognize and react to situations appropriately. They are also known to practice dangerous behavior, such as tailgating and speeding. This is why it is important to have these conversations with your teen. It is also essential that you keep some tips in mind during these conversations.
Explain
When talking to your children, you want to be confident and lead with the facts. You want to explain to your teen that a great deal of responsibility comes with a driver’s license. They are responsible for their safety, their passengers, and all the other people on the road. They are also responsible for the condition of the car. You want to explain about the many dangers on the road because driving is dangerous. However, you do not want to simplify it for your teens.
They need to know they take their lives into their hands every time they get in the car. It can be fun and provide them with a great deal of freedom. However, they should not drive distracted by things like their phone, earbuds, or texting. In addition, they should not drive while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Driving impaired is dangerous and can risk the life of your teen and others. Not only that, they can risk going to jail and losing their license. In Maryland, a first-time DUI offense can cause one year in jail and $1,000 in fines.
Teach
As a parent, you want to teach your teen that driving is a privilege that can be revoked at any time. In addition, there are laws for teenage drivers. You and your teen should review the laws with your teen so you can make sure your teen understands them. This allows you a foundation where you can ground rules and expectations. These are intended to create a foundation for safe behavior for your teen to follow. As the driver, your teen needs to meet the expectations you set. As a parent, it is your job to hold your teen to those expectations.
Lead By Example
As a parent, you want to set a good example. If you tell your teens not to use their phones while they drive, you should stay off your phone. If you are expecting your teen to wear their seatbelt, you must wear yours. Your teen will do what they see you do in the car. Teach your teen safe driving tips, such as how to use their blinkers, lights, and wipers. You want to teach your child to drive defensively, including scan for threats while they are driving. You should teach your teen how to drive in winter weather, especially if you live in an area where this weather is prevalent.
Now that your teen is driving, it is critical that you teach them the rules that they need to know. It would be best if you taught them how to take care of common activities around their car, such as filling it with gas and putting air in the tires. The crude oil demand was projected to increase to 96.5 million barrels each day in 2021. This may impact the price that your teen may pay while driving.
Follow these helpful tips, and your teen will be a driving expert in no time!
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