We’ve done a series of posts talking about teen drivers and various issues related to them. But once your teenager has their license, there comes a time when you just have to “let go” and allow them some freedom. It’s not easy to cope with a teen driver in your household, but there are some ways to hold on to your sanity without locking them up in their room.
Trust your teen. If you’ve raised your teenager to be a responsible person, they will put those skills to work behind the wheel each time they drive. Trust yourself and your teenager and you might be surprised how responsible they are.
Set up firm rules, but not too restricting. Teens today have a lot of pressure, but they still need structure in their lives. Make some rules about them driving and write them down so they know exactly what’s expected of them. Consider statistics when making the rules, such as the fact that most teen drivers get into accidents between 11 PM and 5 AM. As a result, one rule could be that they don’t drive between those hours.
Let them drive with you in the car. Even after they have their license, they still need all the practice they can get. Let them take you on your errands or wherever you need to go. This will give you a chance to monitor their driving habits and “tweak” them if you need to.
Explain safety issues and features. Talk to your teen about the safety features on a vehicle. The best way to do this is to get a new or used car from your local Pontiac dealer with all of the latest features. You’ll be at ease knowing your teen driver is as safe as can be.
