Parents in Florida may not realize the significant influence they have on their teens’ driving habits. Right now, we’re in the middle of what are considered the 100 deadliest days of the year for teenage drivers. Statistics show alarming levels of car accident-related teen deaths between Memorial Day and Labor Day each year.
It is only natural for parents to be concerned about the safety of their teen drivers whenever they are out and about. Parents who make a point of setting good examples through their own driving may have less to worry about. Safety authorities suggest parents re-familiarize themselves with traffic laws and the rules of the road instead of relying on their memory of Driver’s Ed days.
How can parents encourage safe driving?
One way to deal with this is for parents to consider everything they do not want their children to do while driving. It is also essential to spend time in the car with young drivers and for parents to practice what they preach during those drives:
- Wear a seat belt
- Avoid engaging in distractions like mobile phones or eating
- Always obey the traffic signs and speed limits
- Remain calm and don’t react to aggressive drivers
- Never drive while tired or impaired
Supervised driving
Supervised driving is the ideal way for teens to prepare for different circumstances. Parents should take them driving at all hours, on various road types, in low and high traffic times and in different weather conditions.
Another important lesson
Young drivers must learn all about the potential consequences if they negligently cause accidents that result in injury or death. Victims of such car accidents could have grounds to file personal injury claims in a Florida civil court. Drivers, and the owners of the vehicles they operate, could be financially responsible for the financial and emotional damages of accident victims.