You want your teen to be safe when they are driving but you are not sure how to talk to them about it. No matter how uncomfortable the conversation may be, it is essential that you do it. Keep reading to find out how you can talk to your child about safe driving and then contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 to learn more.
Talk to Your Teen Driver About Not Trying to Impress Their Friends Online
If your teen is on Snapchat constantly, they may end up using a speed filter while driving. If they use other online methods of communicating, they could end up with issues too. Make sure that your teen knows that impressing their friends is not their top priority. Is snapping the perfect photo worth losing their license, getting a ticker, or getting involved in a serious car accident?
Remove Temptation When Possible
Ideally, you would take steps to reduce the chance that your teen will be tempted to drive unsafely. This could involve making it a rule that your teen turns off their phone and stores it in the trunk while driving. This is what the Governors Highway Safety Association recommends because this prevents them from being tempted by the sound or flash of texts, notifications from texts, etc.
There are also apps that can help prevent distracted driving. For example, some will turn off a phone’s ability to text when the car gets to a certain speed. Others send automatic texts to the person texting to let them know you cannot respond because you are driving. You can also put on an app that tracks when and how their phone is used so you know your child is driving safely.
Make Sure They Know That Even Your Text Can Wait
When you tell them that the texts they are sending to their friends can wait until it is safe to drive, make sure that you are also included. In fact, about half of teens who talk on the phone while driving say their parent is the most common person they talk to. This is sometimes because they fear they will get in trouble if they do not answer. Let them know that your call can wait too.
Set a Good Example
You can tell them how serious car accidents can be, you can tell them what they can and cannot do, but the truth is that they are most likely to learn from watching you. This begins from the first moment they are able to make memories – they are watching and noting what you are doing. Do not text while driving. Do not talk on the phone while driving. Model good behavior for them.
