If you have a new driver in your home this year, your teen may well want to drive to school when classes start next month. It can be intimidating to consider your child taking on the morning commute, but there are a few ways to keep your teen safe:
1) Make sure that your teen’s driving skills are up to the task.
If your child has gotten their driving license recently, they may not have developed the skills and experience needed to face driving to school each day. In that case, consider getting your teen some extra classes with a driving instructor or practice driving together. In-class practice is a good way to build skills and confidence, although you may also improve your child’s skills by signing them up for defensive driving classes or even racing school. Both will further hone driving ability and will make sure your teen works with a qualified instructor.
2) Take a look at your child’s car.
Is the car your teen will be driving to schools safe? All too often, teens buy their first used car with their savings, and in some cases these older cars may have maintenance issues or trouble with major systems (such as brakes or tires). A car that is in good repair may help your child avoid a motor vehicle collision in Homestead or your community, so take your child’s car to the mechanic for a full tune up.
3) Drive the route with them.
Ask your teen to drive the route to school with you a few times in the mornings the afternoons before school starts. This will tell you a few things, including any hazards on the route and any bad habits that could put your teen at risk of a collision. Together, you can discuss those dangers and ways that your teen can avoid them. You can also choose the safest route to and from school. Be sure to pay extra attention to the area nearest the school; is there a safe parking area? How busy will the area be with other students? Understanding what the hazards are can help your teen avoid them.
4) Set ground rules about passengers, cell phones, and other dangers.
Studies have shown that teens have a higher risk of car accidents when they have peers as passengers, and the risk increases for each added passenger. If your child has gotten their license recently, you may want to enforce a “no passengers unless they’re adults” rule until your teen has a few months of driving experience with no collisions. Similarly, you may want to enforce “no distractions, no mobile devices” and “no drinking” rules to ensure your teen stays safe. If your child breaks the rules, they should be aware that they will lose their driving privileges.
Has your child been injured in a traffic accident? Contact the legal team at Flaxman Law Group to review the legal options which may be available to help your child secure compensation for their medical bills and other damages. Your first consultation with our law firm is free and comes with no obligation, so there is no risk to you.