The years have been flying by, and before you know it, your Colorado teen is asking you to help her or him learn how to drive. In fact, for many teens a license becomes a necessity because it enables them to get to school or to a job more easily. Whether this is your first child or your sixth, is it a somewhat scary concept to think of your child operating a car on the road. How can you help your teen become a safer driver?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, you have cause to be concerned, since automobile crashes are the number one cause of death for children between the ages of 15 and 18. This statistic is sobering for many parents. However, you should know that there are many things that you can do to help your child become a safer, more confident driver.
Begin by setting a good example for your child when you are behind the wheel, by obeying the speed limit, refraining from any distracted driving activities such as texting, making sure your car is properly maintained, and staying focused on the road. Then, in addition to a formal driver’s education program, give your teen plenty of properly supervised driving experience. It is important to actually pay attention and make constructive criticisms while they are operating a vehicle, rather than just sitting in the passenger seat while they drive. Emphasize that they must never operate a mobile device while driving.
The above information is provided solely for educational purposes, and should not be interpreted as legal advice.