10 Common Behaviors of Teen Drivers
1. Bad Habits. Does mom or dad have a driving habit that drives you nuts? Well, check yourself. New drivers often pick up good and bad habits from their parents.
2. Following too closely. Is that guy tailgating you? Chances are it’s another teen driver.
3. Speeding. You may have keener hand-eye coordination and better reflexes than your parents, but inexperiences on the road makes speeding your quickest route to a crash.
4. Safety belts. If you think wearing a safety belt makes you look uncool, think again. Wouldn’t you rather be wearing a seat belt than a body cast?
5. Driving while impaired. Drinking and driving don’t ever mix. Impaired performance and inexperience makes for a deadly combination.
6. Passengers. Company can cause misery. Teens are more likely to overload a car with too many passengers, leading to higher fatalities in a crash.
7. Driving while distracted. When your attention wanders behind the wheel, the consequences can be painful. Intense conversations, eating, talking on the phone and personal grooming should be done outside the car.
8. Road rage. Teens have strong emotions. Driving while angry or upset can cloud your judgement and increase your risk.
9. Poor scanning. You would never drive blind, but failing to check those blind spots can be risky.
10. Poor distance judgement. In earning your license you’ve come a long way, but as a new driver you need to gain experience in gauging distance between you and other cars on the road.
For more details visit www.aaa.com.
We as parents have a responsiblity to be very involved in our kids lives. Driving is a priviledge and it is important to make ourselves available to them if /when they do make poor choices with regard to drinking. I, myself was hit by a drunk and high driver and the damage it caused physically was bad enough but, it affected a multitude of people. One indiscretion can leave your kids with a lifetime of suffering. I also think that we need to teach our children by our own actions as you have noted..The car is not “extra time” to finish doing what you did not make time to do at home..It is a large, very HEAVY object that you are responsible to have under complete control of. Texting, putting on makeup, reading, etc. the list is endless.Our children are precious cargo and we have a responsibility to take care of them!!!
Brenda:
Thank you for sharing your insights. I am sorry to hear of your experience, but am thankful you survied! Keep sharing your story, I know it will have an impact on others.
Maranda