We all remember the thrill of finally being able to get behind the wheel of the family car for the first time. What a heady sense of independence and freedom! The downside is that teens are just that – teenagers. As such, their judgment and driving experience is a wee bit wobbly. Mitsubishi has been at the forefront of guiding young drivers into steadier, more responsible driving habits. Peruzzi Mitsubishi of Fairless Hills, PA backs these efforts and offers some solid tips for teen drivers.
GET THEM INTO A SAFE-DRIVING PROGRAM
Sure, they’ve taken basic driver’s training. But having your teen take a special “safe-driving” course will pay off not only in increased skills but even lower insurance rates. Check your local DMV for a list of approved programs.
A GRADUATED PLAN
New drivers do better when they gradually up their skills. This means restricting certain tricky elements. For example, driving at night. Experts note that crashes among young drivers often occur between 9pm and midnight. Thus, it’s a smart idea to take away the keys after 9pm. On a similar note, having a lot of passengers increases the odds that a novice driver may become distracted and wind up in a wreck. Until they’re more secure behind the wheel, limit the number of friends that ride along.
MODEL GOOD DRIVING HABITS
If you want your teen to be a safe driver, BE a safe driver yourself. When you’re in the car together, show that you’re paying attention, not texting, eating or screaming at other drivers. Your kids pay attention. This is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your kids will be smart behind the wheel.
TALK ABOUT THE COSTS
Kids often don’t realize the actual costs of a car. Have a frank discussion about the numbers, from insurance to maintenance to the cost of gas. While they may not be in a position to seriously chip in, they’ll realize that the costs of owning a car or truck don’t exist in a vacuum. It’s smart to have them regularly contribute something – even if it’s just a tank of gas every few weeks.
A NO-DRINKING POLICY
This is critical. Have a serious heart-to-heart with your teen driver about drinking and driving. The statistics about teen drivers and alcohol are alarming, so let your teen no that you intend to set a “zero tolerance” rule. Model this yourself when you and the family are out: don’t drink and then get behind the wheel.
A CLEAN DRIVING RECORD
There are many technology tools that will help you keep an eye on your teen’s driving habits, such as sticking to the speed limit and more. Not only will this keep your child safe, but you may also be able to leverage the stats for a better deal on car insurance.
Peruzzi Mitsubishi in Fairless Hills, PA is committed to every driver of their vehicles being safe. They fully back Mitsubishi’s plan to ensure that teen drivers remain safe on the road.
