• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Teach Your Teen To Drive Safely

September 3, 2016 by Madison Pados Leave a Comment

It’s a scary time as a parent when your child turns 16. That’s right: driving age. Teens can’t wait to get behind the wheel, while the very thought terrifies moms and dads everywhere. There’s no denying that cars can be dangerous, especially for new and inexperienced drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety administration, motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for teens.  That’s why it’s vital to communicate with your teen about the importance of safe driving.

The Problem

Communicating with your teen effectively is not always an easy task. Trust us, we know. New research commissioned by Ford Motor Company shows there is a major divide in the views and behaviors of parents and children in regards to driving and what would make new drivers more successful. The survey shows that 77% of tweens and 55% of teens look to their parents for the most advice or guidance on safe driving practices. But it also shows that 82% of teens and 81% of tweens have witnessed their parents drive while distracted. 41% were using a mobile phone, 60% were eating or drinking, and 30% were distracted by grooming or talking- not good numbers!

Ford asked both parents and teens what they thought would be most helpful in keeping new drivers safe. The responses were very different. 25% of parents said more comprehensive driving education programs, 22% said new laws to reduce distractions while driving, and 18% said increasing the minimum age for obtaining a license. However, 59% of teens said they would benefit most from hearing personal experiences from their parents, 30% said new technologies to allow them to talk hands-free, and 28% said supplementary education. Parents, keep these numbers in mind when you’re teaching your child how to drive.

Expert Advice

Dr. Charles Sophy, a family communications specialist, offers parents some great tips based on the differences noted in the survey on how to talk to your young driver about safety.  Dr. Sophy says it’s important to allow your teen to participate in the discussion about safe driving- don’t just lecture.

Tip 1

Be confident and educated in your own driving skills. Review the rules and regulations before you start teaching your children.

Tip 2

Set a good example! “Do as I say and as I do,” Dr. Sophy says.

Tip 3

Educate your child. Share statistics about driving mishaps with your children. They need to understand how high the stakes are. As we said before, driving is dangerous.

Tip 4

Teens can earn parents’ trust. (Parents- let them!). Teens must be responsible and demonstrate safe driving regularly, for example by taking parents out for a drive.

Tip 5

Safe driving can be fun! Have an ongoing conversation about expectations and safety. Set rules on vehicle safety features, like max speed and radio volume.  Teens need to learn that fun has absolutely nothing to do with recklessness or taking risks. Dr. Sophy also suggests carving out a contract between you and your teen to outline expectations clearly.

Remember to maintain your role as a parent during the learning process, but to be sure to listen to your child. Learning to drive is an important step in your teen’s life. Teach them to be safe, and you might just have a little fun!

Statistics provided by the 2011 Ford Safe Driving Survey

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Parenting, Tweens and Teens

About Madison Pados

Madison is a prolific writer who has been contributing to ModernMom since 2010. She has 4 children and has taken a long hiatus from her 'real job' as an educational psychologist to spend more time with her kids. She loves cooking, organizing, exercising, traveling and stealing a little me-time when she can.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

10 Things Nobody Will Tell You About Having A Baby

After reading "20 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Had Kids," I … [Read More...] about 10 Things Nobody Will Tell You About Having A Baby

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

How Many Calories Does 10,000 Steps Burn

How Many Calories Does 10,000 Steps Burn?

Signs of Water Breaking in Pregnancy

Signs of Water Breaking in Pregnancy

pregnant while not ovulating

Can I Get Pregnant While Not Ovulating?

Signs You're Having a Miscarriage

Signs You’re Having a Miscarriage

back pain during first trimester pregnancy

Back Pain During First Trimester Pregnancy

Signs of PMS or Pregnancy

can you get pregnant on birth control pill if you miss one day

Can You Get Pregnant on Birth Control Pill If You Miss One Day?

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2022 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.