Due to lack of experience and insight, teen drivers face the highest risk of being injured or killed in an auto accident. As a parent of a newly licensed teen, you likely want to do all you can to keep them safe when they are behind the wheel alone. Every step you take is sure to make a positive impact, and to get you started, here are three things you can do to increase your teen's safety as well as your own peace of mind:
1. Invest in Locksmith Services
A great way to make sure that your teen doesn't end up stuck somewhere due to accidentally locking their keys in the car is to invest in a 24/7 auto locksmith package for them. With this service, your teen can get help quickly no matter where they are or what time it is. This should minimize the chance of your teen being stuck outside of their vehicle alone in the dark, where they could be hit by another car or robbed. It will also help ensure that your teen never misses a curfew so you don't have to wait up worrying. Contact a representative from a company like Global Lock and Key to get started.
2. Create an Emergency Trunk Kit
Another great way to increase safety for your teen driver is to put together an emergency kit they can keep in the trunk while they're on the road alone. This kit should include tools and resources that can be utilized for a variety of issues that might arise on the road, including the following:
- A list of phone numbers for the insurance company, a towing service, the local police department, and any emergency contacts they can use if they can't get a hold of you in an emergency.
- Step-by-step directions for changing a flat tire.
- Flares to use in case of a breakdown.
It's also a good idea to include extra copies of insurance, registration, and any other important paperwork your teen may need as a licensed driver.
3. Take Regular Drives Together
It's essential to make sure that you take regular drives with your teen as the passenger so you can gauge their progression as they develop their driving skills. By spending day together while your teen drives you where you want to go, you'll have a chance to correct any bad habits they may have picked up, practice maneuvers (like parallel parking) that your teen doesn't often do, and offer tips and tricks for improvement when necessary.
In addition to increasing your teen's safety while they are on the road, these tips will help to ensure that your teen develops positive driving habits as they grow into adulthood.
