Lead By Example: How Parents Can Model Good Driving Behavior

You've been teaching your teen to drive for over a decade. Yes, really. Children and teenagers pick up on their parents' behaviors — and often copy them. If you want your teen to be safe behind the wheel, start modeling good driving behavior now. Here's how.

Teens Take Cues From Their Parents

You know the saying, "Monkey see, monkey do?" As it turns out, there's a lot of scientific evidenceMonkey_see_monkey_do_model_behavior_in_early_childhood News to back it up. Children learn from seeing what adults do — for better or worse.

For example, if you always buckle up, your kids will do the same. But if they see you text and drive, they'll learn that being distracted behind the wheel isn't such a big deal. "Do as I say, not as I do" just doesn't work.

5 Ways to Model Good Driving Behavior to Teens

You're more influential than you may think. Start practicing these five habits every time you drive with your teen.

1. Start Outside the Vehicle

Safe driving starts before getting into the vehicle. Get your teen in the habit of going through this checklist before they step behind the wheel:

I'm fit to drive: Not under the influenceTrending Facts And Laws About Drinking And Driving Driversed.com or drowsyTrending Drowsy Driving Dont Be A Victim Driversed.com.
My vehicle is in good condition: Passes all the regular maintenance checksTrending Tips Keeping Your Automobile Tip Top Shape Driversed.com.
I've planned ahead: Check the weather, road conditions, and plan the route.

2. Model a Routine

Next, establish a regular routine: buckle up, adjust mirrors, set up the GPS before hitting the road, and stow away mobile devices.

3. Resist All Distractions

This one is important: don't let yourself get distracted on the road. It doesn't matter if you're stuck in traffic or at a red light, distracted drivingTrending Dangers Distracted Driving Us Driversed.com is a huge danger: it killed 3,522 peopleDistracted Driving Risky Driving in 2021 alone.

Keep all mobile devices out of reach
Don't fiddle with the navigation system
Stay focused on the road, not lost in your thoughts
No getting distracted by the mirrors
Don't eat or drink

4. Keep Your Cool

Avoid road rageTrending Wake Up Call 7 Shocking Road Rage Statistics You Didnt Know Driversed.com, for your and your teen's sake. Resist the urge to honk, cut someone off, or argue with other drivers. Visibly employ calming de-escalation tacticsTrending 4 Smart Ways To De Escalate Road Rage Driversed.com so your teen can learn how to keep their cool.

5. Be Firm and Consistent

The "scare them straight" tacticResourcecenter Ric Publications Cops P288 Pub.pdf Portal.cops.usdoj.gov doesn't seem to work on most teens. So no matter how much you want to frighten your child with the harrowing consequences of dangerous driving, you likely won't reach them. Instead, lay out the facts and explain how certain behaviors are risky. Role modeling is a lot more effective.

3 Tips to Actively Teach Your Child to Drive Safely

After your teen aces their written test, they'll need someone to teach them how to drive. Don't want to hire a professional instructor? No problem, you can do it yourself. If teaching doesn't come naturally to you, these three tips will make your life easier.

1. Avoid Losing Your Temper

Keep your cool, even when your teen messes up. Don't yell, don't chastise: simply correct their behavior firmly but calmly.

2. Don't Assume Anything Is Obvious

Ask your teen questions about traffic signs, right of way, and road conditions to reinforce (or correct) what they learned in driver's ed.

3. Praise Where Praise Is Due

If your teen did a good job driving, let them know. A confidence boostTrending 6 Tips Feel More Confident Road Driversed.com is much-needed after tackling stressful, intimidating activities.

Support Your Teen Through Their Driver Education

Taking an active role in your child's driver education sets them up for success — and even lowers their risk TeenDriving Publications Publications Parenting Styles And Teen Driving SafetyRelated Behaviors Portal.ct.govof getting into a crash. Together with your guidance, a state-accredited driver's ed courseTeen Drivers Ed Driversed.com will give them the solid foundation they need. Online classes let teens study from anywhere, whenever, and at their own pace. Plus, they can access bonus safety tips and practice tests that will come in handy later down the road.