Every parent knows that one of the most stressful things we all experience is when the kids are in the back of the car and we are trying to get them to school in one piece to the detriment of our driving skills. Some parents absolutely dread the idea of a road trip because the ability to drive well is just impossible. So when it comes to our children wanting to learn to drive, driving responsibly is a crucial skill that we have to teach them. So how can you do this?
Checking the Vehicle and General Maintenance
The fact is that if your kid is showing an interest in drift cars and other speedsters, you can still teach them the process of checking the car for faults. Most of us don’t get into the habit of checking the car for potential problems, but it’s something we all need to do because any small problem can be offset before it turns into a large one, saving us a lot of mechanic-related costs in the process!
Driving Without Distraction
Being fit to drive is not just about knowing how to operate the vehicle, but it’s about showing your child that you are actually preparing yourself to drive safely every single time. Because the roads are getting busier, this means we’ve got to get into the mindset of ensuring we are ready and focused to go out on the road. Being aware of digital distractions is just as crucial.
Because if your child is starting to learn to drive, no doubt they are thinking about the things that they can do after passing their test, such as putting loud music on and talking on the phone, but the fact is that this is one of the biggest distractions and can cause a lot of accidents. You can set the example by leaving your phone on silent and putting it out of your reach.
Leading by Example
If another driver displays signs of immaturity, you don’t need to sink to their level. Because when it’s your child’s turn to learn how to drive, they are going to mimic your attitudes because you are the one they see driving most of the time. Setting the right example is crucial because we all need to remember that it is our children that will carry on our traits (and mistakes).
Educating Them on the Consequences
Consequences are the most important aspect of driving safely. Just because somebody doesn’t indicate doesn’t mean we need to become lazy in our habits, we’ve got to remember that even if we’ve driven the same road 100 times there’s going to be someone else who hasn’t. Something as simple as the consequences of not signaling properly can make a big impression on someone learning how to drive.
This is why it’s so important for us to get into this habit of highlighting the consequences. Of course, there are more detrimental consequences, such as legal ramifications, but when you are teaching your children the importance of responsible driving it’s not just about the mechanics.
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