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How to help your teen become a safe driver

On Behalf of | Apr 6, 2021 | Personal Injury

It is typically a rite of passage for a Kentucky teenager to learn how to drive a vehicle. However, as a parent, you may feel anxious about the thought of your son or daughter operating a car or truck. The good news is that you may be able to reduce the chances of your teen developing bad driving habits by modeling what it looks like to be a safe driver.

Always follow the rules of the road

It’s important that you don’t travel any faster than the posted speed limit while your child is in the car with you. Furthermore, it’s critical to come to a complete stop when approaching a traffic control device. Finally, be sure to follow the instructions posted on any other signs that you might encounter while traveling with your teen.

Don’t let your emotions show through

Regardless of how stressed, angry or upset you may feel over something that happens while behind the wheel, you shouldn’t succumb to your feelings of road rage. Instead, you should stay calm, drive in a defensive manner and understand that whatever happened to you wasn’t a personal slight.

After you have had a chance to calm down, you should explain to your son or daughter the importance of acting in a civil manner while operating a motor vehicle. By acting in a mature fashion, you can prevent a confrontation that might result in a motor vehicle accident, physical injuries or other consequences.

Keep distractions to a minimum

You should never use your cellphone, drink coffee or play with the radio while driving when your teen is in the passenger seat. This is because you want your child to understand the importance of focusing solely on road conditions while a vehicle is in motion.

Even when you drive safely, you can’t control the behavior of others on the road. If you are involved in an accident, it may be a good idea to hire a personal injury attorney. An attorney may be able to help you obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages or other damages. He or she might also help obtain compensation for an injured child’s medical bills.