Once your teenager turns 18, it is inevitable that s/he will want to get behind the wheel and go cruising around the streets of the city. However, her/his safety is at risk every time s/he takes the car out for a drive as according to recent data, more Indians have died in road accidents than in all the wars the country has fought. Moreover, one person dies on India’s roads every four minutes. This is why it is imperative that parents teach their teenagers how to drive in a safe and focused manner to prevent the risks of getting in a serious road accident. If you have yet to teach your teen how to drive, follow this guide to teach your teenager how to drive safely.
Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash
Here are a few tips to teach your teen how to drive to help keep them safe on the road.
Let her/him correct you
Most parents would never dream of letting their children correct them, but on the first day of teaching your teen how to drive, take the wheel yourself and let her/him buckle up and sit on the passenger’s seat. Tell her/him to point out whatever it is that you are doing wrong, whether it’s not signaling before making a turn, getting mad at another driver, or going over the speed limit. This exercise will make your teen more open to having a two-way communication with you, which is crucial when it comes to learning something new. Keep in mind that most teens take their cues from their parents when it comes to doing most things, so by doing so, you also get to be aware of your own driving habits.
Allow your child to master her/his daily routes
Letting your teen master routes to school, work, or the nearest grocery store can be empowering for them and raises her/his confidence level whenever s/he is behind the wheel. It is a good idea to have your child master alternative routes which may come in handy in case of an emergency.
Make it fun by creating a few driving slogans
Instead of nagging your child to ease off on the gas, give them a gentle reminder by telling them to “Put some granny in your giddy-up” or something similar to that. The sillier it is the better. For instance, instead of telling the teen to put some space between her/him and the car in front, you can say, “Leave some room for fools.”
Teaching your teen how to drive safely can mean the difference between life and death when navigating the roads of India. Follow these tips to empower your teen and to help them develop good driving skills which will serve them well in years to come.
Now working as a writer, Jackie Edwards started her career as a teacher, but after becoming a mom refocused and decided to spend more time with her family. When she's not writing, she volunteers for a number of local mental health charities as she and one of her daughters are both diagnosed on the Autism spectrum. She can be contacted at writerjackie@lacunamail.com
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