WESTLAND, Mich.– Did you know that traffic fatalities are the leading cause of death for American teens? You may have heard about the recent crashes involving teen drivers have led to more than a dozen teenagers tragically losing their lives. A recent report by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) shows that teen driver fatalities are on the rise among 16-17-year-old drivers.
Parents can help reverse that trend. Most importantly, by setting a good example behind the wheel, parents can increase the chances their children will adopt safe driving practices too. Research done for Ford’s Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) program shows teens tend to emulate how their parents drive. In fact, more than three quarters of teens and tweens surveyed say they rely heavily on their parents’ advice when they start to drive. Experts from Ford Driving Skills for Life have a few Safe Driving Tips For Teens & Their Parents to foster safe driving habits:
Engage in the driving process – As teens get closer to earning/acquiring their learner’s
permit, parents should actively engage with them about driving. Talk about safe driving
behaviors, practice with them, seek educational opportunities, and be clear that unsafe
actions won’t be tolerated.
Buckle up – It’s the law, and if parents don’t wear their seat belts, their teen is more likely to
do the same. In a crash, a person not buckled up is much more likely to be injured or killed
than someone wearing a seat belt.
Never speed – Research done for Ford Driving Skills for Life shows that if parents speed,
their teens are more likely to do the same. Excessive speed continues to be a factor in
about one third of all traffic deaths nationally.
Don’t drive distracted – By setting a tough “no distractions” rule for their teens and
modeling this same behavior, parents send the message that distracted driving will not be
tolerated.
Don’t follow too closely – Parents should keep the proper distance from the car in front of
them. Rear end collisions are common and preventable.
Always scan ahead for hazards – Parents should remind their teens to be aware of what
is going on around them by scanning to the right and left as they drive
Limit the number of passengers – Research shows young drivers can easily be distracted
by just one additional passenger – increasing the risk of a crash exponentially. Many
graduated driver’s license programs restrict the number of passengers as a condition of
issuing an early license or permit; parents should enforce those restrictions.
Never drink and drive – Parents should remind teens that drinking and driving will not be
tolerated.
As your teen gets ready to hit the road, keep these Safe Driving Tips For Teens & Their Parents in mind, and mark your calendar for North Brothers Ford's Drive 4 UR School Event! North Brothers Ford, located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185, is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in Southeast Michigan committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at (888) 806-7163, our knowledgable sales team will be happy to help!Visit our website: www.northbros.com
My daughter is starting her driving next week, and my husband and I couldn't be more terrified. We've decided to be very involved in her driving experiencing and stress the importance of being both an offensive and defensive driver. These are great tips and suggestions for parents to go over this their children!
ReplyDeleteSara Welsh | http://www.shropshiredrivingschool.com/cincinnati-driving-school