Is it time to give your teenager the car keys? Do you know how to take the plunge? Are you sure your child is ready to drive? These are some of the questions that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, of the United States, asks parents before making a decision on the matter.
A study by Liberty Mutual found that parents set a bad example for teens by engaging in unsafe behavior like texting while driving, and on top of that, they’re not listening to their kids’ warnings.
41 percent of teens say their parents find these behaviors unsafe even after they ask them to stop, and 28 percent of teens say their parents condone the unsafe behavior.
For this reason, the American agency’s main recommendation to parents is to set a good example of behavior when driving and start an ‘early dialogue’ with their children to establish standard norms, commitments and ground rules.
In a kind of primer or guide for parents, the NHTSA initially outlines the risk factors, but then advances in an extensive document to explain how this process should be. “One thing is clear: adolescents are not prepared to have the same level of responsibility when driving as adults,” the agency says.
This was supported by statistical data showing that teen drivers have a higher rate of fatal crashes, primarily due to their immaturity, lack of skills, and lack of experience. “They drive over the speed limit, make mistakes and are easily distracted – especially if their friends are in the vehicle.”
The first recommendation is to know the legal part and how driver’s licenses work. In the case of the United States, there is a three-stage graduated driver’s license system that limits high-risk driving situations for new drivers.
In Colombia, young people can obtain their license from the age of 16, they must meet various requirements, pass the exams, and they must have parental authorization and they must take care of the civil and criminal part of the minor. There are other restrictions such as not driving on the highway or at night.
what to do
In addition to learning about the legislation, and familiarizing yourself with the restrictions, the NHTSA recommends setting some important ground rules, such as controlling night driving and passengers, not using your phone or other devices while driving, and always wearing your seatbelt. .
Talk to your child about the dangers of alcohol and drug use. Be a good example, remember that your children watch what you do when you drive, drive safely.
Teenagers’ inexperience behind the wheel makes them more susceptible to distraction. This, or talking on the phone reduces the ability to react to danger.
The recommendation in these cases is to remind young people that driving is a skill that requires the full attention of the driver.
If the teen breaks a set rule, consider suspending driving privileges, further limiting the hours during which they can drive, or limiting where they can drive. Parents might also consider limiting their access to their cell phone.
Young drivers are two and a half times more likely to engage in one or more dangerous behaviors when driving with another teen than when driving alone. The probability of committing one or more risky maneuvers when traveling with passengers increases three times.
Speeding is a critical safety issue for young drivers. Statistics show that this factor played a role in 27 percent of the fatal crashes they were involved in. There is also evidence from driving studies that adolescents’ speeding behavior increases over time, possibly a measure of confidence gains.
Teenagers should be especially aware of their speed during bad weather or other road conditions, such as traffic jams or winding roads.
When a teenager has just received their driver’s license, they are more likely to drive over the speed limit in their own vehicle than in the family sedan. If possible, parents should choose newer, larger vehicles over high-performance vehicles.
