Seatbelts are buckled, mirrors are aligned, and the engine is
purring. As your car backs slowly down the driveway you can't
help but look into the side mirror to make sure the tires
aren't on the lawn. You start down the street, white knuckles
firmly clamped around the door handle and feet bearing down on
imaginary brakes.
It's your son's first time behind the wheel and
you're riding shotgun - who knows which one of you is more
nervous?
Learning to drive can be nerve-wracking for teens and parents.
It's likely to be your first experience putting your safety and
auto investment in your teen's hands. And since you know all
the risks of the road, this can be pretty daunting.
But parents play an important role in helping teens practice
their driving skills and develop confidence behind the wheel. By
taking the practice sessions one skill at a time, setting realistic
expectations, and making the experience as comfortable as possible,
you can prepare your teen for the road ahead.
Practice Increases the Chances of Perfect
When it comes to driving, experience is an important teacher.
The more time young drivers spend honing a variety of skills in
different road and weather conditions, the more calm and confident
they will feel and the better they'll be able to react to
challenging situations.
Before each practice session, plan the specific skills you want
to go over. If possible, make your lessons coincide with what your
teen is learning in driver's education at school. Consider your
teen's temperament - and your own. If the lessons are too long,
nerves might get frayed and it may be difficult to stay calm.
An empty parking lot is an ideal place for teens to:
- practice simple skills like turning and braking
- get a feel for how the car handles
- learn the location of some of the basic controls, like
windshield wipers, defroster, and lights
After practicing the basics of moving in drive and reverse, they
may be ready to work on the following skills on quiet back roads,
where there's little traffic:
- slowing down around curves
- coming to a full stop at a stop sign
- understanding the rules of a four-way stop
- keeping a safe following distance
- making a left turn on a two-way road
- keeping a constant speed when going uphill
- recognizing and understanding street signs
- navigating around pedestrians, animals, bikers, and
runners
Once teens have mastered those basic skills, they
should get some practice driving on bigger, busier roads and
highways. On these roads, you can help your teen practice:
- changing lanes
- merging into traffic
- maintaining a safe speed
- understanding the different lanes - like not going below the
speed limit in the left lane
- approaching, slowing down, and stopping at traffic lights -
green, yellow, and red
- making a left on a green yield
- using on and off ramps at appropriate speeds
Teen drivers should learn to anticipate and watch for potential
problems from other drivers. For instance, when approaching a stop
sign, they should watch for other cars coming from different
directions that may not stop. In traffic, encourage your
teen to watch for cars that suddenly switch lanes without
signaling or pull out in front. New drivers often have trouble
anticipating other cars or accurately sensing how much speed and
space certain situations require. These are safety habits that
drivers develop with experience and time.
Once comfortable with these skills, have your teen practice
driving in different conditions such as:
-
Nighttime:
Reduced visibility can lead to accidents.
-
Dusk and dawn:
Glare from the sun makes it difficult for drivers to see.
-
Rain and snow:
Practicing on slick pavement gives teens a chance to find the
right speed for the conditions.
-
Construction/roadwork:
Construction zones have many signs and congestion that are good
learning points for any new driver.
After plenty of practice, give your teen a chance to drive with
more passengers in the car. Begin with family members or close
friends who your teen is comfortable driving with and
you're comfortable coaching around.
Riding Shotgun
Before your first driving session with your teen, sit down together
and discuss your expectations, including the skills you'd like
to practice and how long it will take.
Once the lesson begins, remember that the goal is for your teen
to get comfortable, confident, and safe behind the wheel. Becoming
a skilled driver takes time and experience, so it's important
to be patient and:
-
Provide some warm-up time.
First practice in safe areas, away from other cars, with low
stress and risk. Then, as you get more comfortable with one
another, you'll be ready to take on bigger challenges, like
the open road and the highway.
-
Keep it simple.
Practice skills one at a time. In basketball, a person can't
learn to shoot, defend, pass, and dribble all at once, and the
same goes for driving skills. Remember that it can be hard for
new drivers to process multiple things at once while trying to
drive - it can even be a distraction.
-
Turn mistakes into lessons.
When a mistake happens, have your teen pull over, if
possible, so you can talk calmly about what went wrong and how to
avoid repeats.
As long as you are alert and attentive while your rookie driver
is at the wheel, you should be prepared to help with any situation
that may arise.
Be a Resource for Your Teen
A simple tutorial about the basics of car maintenance, like
changing a tire, is important for a new driver. So show your
son or daughter where the spare tire, lug wrench, and other
equipment is kept and how to use it.
Other emergency and maintenance necessities to go over
include:
- checking the oil
- pumping and paying for gas
- jump-starting a car
- maintaining proper air pressure in the tires
Approaching driver training with an open mind, a positive
attitude, and patience will give your teen the best foundation for
becoming a skilled and safe driver. And who knows? You may learn
something new about the road too!
Reviewed by:
Kurt E. Gray, MSM
Date reviewed: July 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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