Is Your Teenager Itching to Drive?

Has the time come where your
teen has that itch to get
behind the wheel? If so, how do you scratch it?

For many moms and dads, the
notion that their teenager wants to learn how to drive can be a scary
proposition.

To start, there is the idea
that their loved one will be out on the roads with an infinite number of other
drivers. Although an accident may very well not come your teen’s way, the
thought of one likely bothers you.

Remember, keeping
your loved one safe is a 24/7 job no matter how you slice it.

There is also the added expense
of having another driver in the family.

A teen driving means added
wear-and-tear on a family vehicle more times than not. There are also extra
expenses for gas etc.

So, if your teen is itching to
drive, will you agree to let them do it?

Always Make Safety the Top
Focus

So that your teen is in the
safest position possible to drive, remember a few pointers:

1. Timing – Does your teen want a learner’s
permit? When the answer is yes, make sure they are
responsible enough to know all the ins-and-outs of driving. As they prepare to
take the tests for both a learner’s permit and their license, their attitude is
critical. Will they take getting behind the wheel in a serious manner? Will
they be good at avoiding road distractions? Will they contribute to the upkeep
of the vehicle you may end up letting them borrow or even buying for them?
These are all questions that you would love to have the answers for before
allowing them to drive.

2. Distractions – In mentioning
those distractions, make sure your teen does not become overwhelmed. For
example, is your teen someone who is in love with their cell phone? In the
event that is the case, they could be in danger when out on the roads. The same
holds true for those who come across your teen behind the wheel. Make sure your
teen knows that using a cell phone to call or text when driving is not an
option. All too often, it only takes a split-second interaction with the phone
to lead to disaster.

3. Upkeep – Even if your teen
uses a family car until they can afford one, they can pitch-in with
maintenance. No, this doesn’t mean you expect your teen to spend hundreds of
dollars on the vehicle when it needs maintenance. What it does mean is that
they should be looking for red flags. Such issues as bad brakes or tires,
burned out lights, and other related matters are critical.

Safety Never Gets Old

Even once your teenage has his
or her driver’s license, the learning behind the wheel never ends.

That said how much discipline
do you dish out if your teen does something bad when driving?

Among some of the issues that
can crop up:

· Drinking and driving

· Reckless driving

· One or more traffic tickets

· Letting the vehicle go to the
point it needs notable maintenance

While you never want your teen
in an accident, they can be learning opportunities.

Make sure your teen understands
they did something wrong and they will try to never let it occur again.

So if your teen is itching to drive,
are you ready to give them what they want?