You've been teaching your teen to drive for over a decade. Yes, really. Children and teenagers pick up on their parents' behaviors — and often copy them. If you want your teen to be safe behind the wheel, start modeling good driving behavior now. Here's how.
Teens Take Cues From Their Parents
You know the saying, "Monkey see, monkey do?" As it turns out, there's a lot of scientific evidence to back it up. Children learn from seeing what adults do — for better or worse.
For example, if you always buckle up, your kids will do the same. But if they see you text and drive, they'll learn that being distracted behind the wheel isn't such a big deal. "Do as I say, not as I do" just doesn't work.
5 Ways to Model Good Driving Behavior to Teens
You're more influential than you may think. Start practicing these five habits every time you drive with your teen.
1. Start Outside the Vehicle
Safe driving starts before getting into the vehicle. Get your teen in the habit of going through this checklist before they step behind the wheel:
I'm fit to drive: Not under the influence or drowsy.
My vehicle is in good condition: Passes all the regular maintenance checks.
I've planned ahead: Check the weather, road conditions, and plan the route.
2. Model a Routine
Next, establish a regular routine: buckle up, adjust mirrors, set up the GPS before hitting the road, and stow away mobile devices.
3. Resist All Distractions
This one is important: don't let yourself get distracted on the road. It doesn't matter if you're stuck in traffic or at a red light, distracted driving is a huge danger: it killed 3,522 people in 2021 alone.
Keep all mobile devices out of reach
Don't fiddle with the navigation system
Stay focused on the road, not lost in your thoughts
No getting distracted by the mirrors
Don't eat or drink
4. Keep Your Cool
Avoid road rage, for your and your teen's sake. Resist the urge to honk, cut someone off, or argue with other drivers. Visibly employ calming de-escalation tactics so your teen can learn how to keep their cool.
5. Be Firm and Consistent
The "scare them straight" tactic doesn't seem to work on most teens. So no matter how much you want to frighten your child with the harrowing consequences of dangerous driving, you likely won't reach them. Instead, lay out the facts and explain how certain behaviors are risky. Role modeling is a lot more effective.
3 Tips to Actively Teach Your Child to Drive Safely
After your teen aces their written test, they'll need someone to teach them how to drive. Don't want to hire a professional instructor? No problem, you can do it yourself. If teaching doesn't come naturally to you, these three tips will make your life easier.
1. Avoid Losing Your Temper
Keep your cool, even when your teen messes up. Don't yell, don't chastise: simply correct their behavior firmly but calmly.
2. Don't Assume Anything Is Obvious
Ask your teen questions about traffic signs, right of way, and road conditions to reinforce (or correct) what they learned in driver's ed.
3. Praise Where Praise Is Due
If your teen did a good job driving, let them know. A confidence boost is much-needed after tackling stressful, intimidating activities.
Support Your Teen Through Their Driver Education
Taking an active role in your child's driver education sets them up for success — and even lowers their risk of getting into a crash. Together with your guidance, a state-accredited driver's ed course will give them the solid foundation they need. Online classes let teens study from anywhere, whenever, and at their own pace. Plus, they can access bonus safety tips and practice tests that will come in handy later down the road.
Update 7/27/23