One of the scariest times in a parent’s life is watching as their child drives away in a car for the first time. To ease your fear as a parent with a new driver in the house and to help reduce your child’s risk of a car accident, it is important to practice and discuss safe driving techniques. For instance, new drivers need to be aware of how to safely make turns, handle bad weather and drive through the school parking lot.
To be a good driver, your child will need to have safe driving habits. Even basic things like always wearing a seat belt and remaining alert can make a huge difference when it comes to staying safe behind the wheel. Talk with your teen driver about these general driving tips.
Remember the basics
Sticking to the basic rules of the road can go a long way toward reducing the risk of a car accident. For instance, something as simple as obeying the speed limit can help your child avoid a wreck. In general, speeding is one of the leading causes of teenage car crashes. In addition, little things like keeping the windshield clean, adjusting the head rest to the right height to minimize the risk of whiplash and keeping both hands on the wheel can also make a major difference on the road.
Be aware of other drivers
Not only is it important to be aware of other drivers who might be behaving in a reckless or negligent manner, it is also important to be aware of how your driving impacts those with whom you share the road. Stress to your child that it is important to keep clear of aggressive drivers and to never make assumptions about what another driver is going to do even if he or she is using a turn signal.
Campus driving
Driving around a school campus in Wallingford can be extremely dangerous, even at low speeds. Typically, there is a lot of activity on a high school campus such as other kids driving or getting dropped off.
To reduce the risk of a wreck while on campus, your new driver should always stop for school buses with flashing lights, avoid parking in fire lanes and always try to find a parking space that does not require backing up. Also, arriving early can help your child avoid an accident.
If you have a new teenage driver in the family, the above tips can lessen the chances of a car wreck. However, it may not be possible to avoid every wreck especially when it is caused by a reckless driver. If your teenager has been the victim of a negligent driver and suffered an injury due to a car accident, you might be able to file a claim for the damages.