As parents, we worry about everything. Nothing seems more terrifying than the thought of putting your baby behind the wheel and letting them drive. It’s an inevitable part of parenting and a part of growing up. When your teenager is so excited to reach this milestone, it’s important to research safe teen safe driving tips – so everyone is prepared.
Did you know that AAA has labeled the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day as the “100 Deadliest Days on the road for teens?” More than 1,050 people were killed in crashes involving a teen driver in 2016 during the 100 Deadliest Days, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day. That is an average of 10 people per day – a 14 percent increase compared to the rest of the year, according to data analyzed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
While that is scary information, I think it’s best to know how to keep your teen as safe as possible when they’re on the road. In partnership with Chevrolet, I hope these tips can help teens be safe on the road.
The Best Teen Safe Driving Tips
Prevent Distractions
There are more ways to be distracted than ever before. So many states are making it against the law to text and drive. Multiple studies indicate using a cell phone while driving is the equivalent of driving drunk. Staying off the phone is best, but use bluetooth technology as a hands-free phone option.
Drive Solo
Having multiple people in the vehicle, while your teen is driving, can increase their risk for distractions. Encourage them to drive solo.
Practice Defensive Driving
Teach your teen to always be aware of the traffic ahead, behind, and next to you. It’s best to stay at least one car length behind the car in front of you in slower speeds, and maintain a larger buffer zone with faster speeds. Some car insurance companies offer lower rates to teens who have completed a defensive driving course.
Technology Can Help Parents
The Chevy team developed an industry–first technology feature called “Teen Driver”, a tool to encourage safe driving habits for teen drivers that produces a “report card” of the teen’s driving habits, like sharing max speed, how many miles driven, etc. – and even mutes the radio until seat belts are fastened.
Choose a Safe Car
Gone are the days where teens get a hand-me-down car. If possible, drive a safe car with the latest safety equipment (such as anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and air bags).
Chevy vehicles are loaded with new safety technologies to help ease parents’ worries, including forward collision alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and a distance indicator (which uses sensors to let you know how far ahead the next vehicle is). Surround Vision Camera also displays a 360-degree, bird’s eye view of the entire perimeter of your vehicle.
Be Mindful of Early Morning and Dusk
Teach your teen to use their headlights to increases visibility and help other drivers see you, even when you feel like it’s light out. In the early morning and early evening, you need to use your lights or other drivers might not see you, which can be disastrous.
Prevent Hot Car Incidents
It’s important to discuss the dangers of hot temperatures during the heat of summer. Chevy has the Rear Seat Reminder which monitors and alerts you of anything left in your back seat.
Never Drive Under The Influence
It’s sad that we feel the need to remind our teens about this one. It’s important to teach them to NEVER drive under the influence. Good habits start young and it’s vital to teach them about smart decision making. Let them know that they can call you if they ever need a ride home.
Always Wear A Seat Belt
According to the CDC, only 61% of high school students wear seat belts when riding with someone else. Teenage drivers are more likely to make poor decisions like speeding or not fastening their seat belts. Teach them to always wear a seat belt.
Chevrolet Teen Driver Technology
Watch Chevy’s Teen Driver Technology and how it’s giving parents the peace of mind, while helping to keep teens safe.
For more Teen Safe Driving Tips and product information, visit Chevrolet.com
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