How to Set a Good Example for Young Drivers? Even if your kids aren’t old enough to have enrolled in a program like the one at our Phoenix, AZ driving school, they’re still learning to drive.
You’re teaching them, every time you get behind the wheel. Even if you aren’t actively telling them what to do or not to do, they’ll learn by your example. Here’s how to make sure that example is a good one.
Before you get in the car
You can set a good example for future drivers even before you get in the car:
- Get your kids involved in routine, at-home vehicle maintenance and repairs to underscore how important it is to have a safe, well-functioning car.
- Plan your route, working to avoid rush hour and construction while also paying attention to weather. Let your kids know it’s ok to postpone trips due to bad weather.
- Don’t drive if you’re feeling tired, or stressed or too emotional.
On the road
Once you’re ready to depart, set a good example with these steps.
- Buckle your seatbelt and make sure everyone else is buckled before you leave.
- Put your phone on silent and out of sight and never check it while driving, even if you’re stuck in traffic or at a red light.
- Avoid other road distractions such as eating, drinking or grooming
- Adjust your seats and mirrors and your GPS before taking off.
- Remember the basics. Come to a complete stop at every stop sign. Use a turn signal every time you turn or make a lane change. Show them how to check mirrors and be aware of blind spots.
- Pay attention to speed limits, adjusting your speed depending on traffic and road conditions. Tell your kids things like “We have to slow down here, it’s a residential area.”
- Don’t get angry, honk your horn or yell if you get cut off. Set a good example by staying calm and use the opportunity to tell your kids about the importance of leaving space around your vehicle and explain why it doesn’t pay to get mad at other drivers.
Share the facts about distracted driving
As your kids get older and close to enrolling in a Phoenix AZ driving school, share some of the facts about distracted driving.
- Distraction is a factor in more than half of all teen driver crashes.
- Five seconds is the average amount of time your eyes are the road when you’re texting. If your car is moving 55 mph, it’s the equivalent of traveling the length of a football field.
- Even after we stop texting, our brains are still distracted for up to 27 seconds. That means if you stop to send a text while stuck in traffic, your brain may not focus on driving once traffic starts to move again.
How to Set a Good Example for Young Drivers – Phoenix AZ driving school
Are your kids old enough to learn to begin driving lessons? Turn to Legacy Driving Academy, where we work to help any student who enrolls in our Phoenix, AZ driving school become a safe, reliable driver.
Whether you’re a teenager who is exploring the road for the first time or someone who has used public transit, we make learning to drive safe and simple thanks to our experienced teaching staff. Contact us today to learn more.