February - Parent Leadership Month - Driving

February - Parent Leadership Month - Driving

An African proverb once said, "It takes a village to raise a child.” It is true that others in society help, but the primary responsibility to teach children to make good choices falls on their parents/guardians. In this article, we will briefly discuss teaching good driving habits. Good driving habits for children start with watching and learning how their parents/guardians act and react while driving.

Use your conversations

Start by having meaningful conversations with your teens even before they get behind the wheel of a vehicle.

1. You could begin by explaining how to be aware and how to avoid distractions inside and outside of the vehicle.
2. Next, help them to understand and appreciate what it means to be a good defensive driver, and what to expect on different types of roadways. For example, explain and show them how to drive on rural roadways versus city streets.

What about your example?

The philosophy, “Do as I say and not as I do,” does not work very well for safety training, especially for teenagers. Young first-time drivers, trying to get their permit or license, will often mirror how their parents act and react on the roadway. Remember, your actions while driving will affect their actions while driving.  

Here are a few practical ways to train first-time drivers by focusing on driver safety and awareness:

1. No texting.
2. Always wear your seat belt.
3. Always follow speed limits, which will positively influence your impressionable first time drivers.

Bottom line:  Parent Leadership Month is a nudge for everyone—especially parents and guardians—to drive more responsibly, stay alert, and prioritize safety around new drivers. 

At NHSA, our, our goal is to provide online driver education courses that equip all drivers with what they need to be safe drivers.  Whether you are a teen seeking a learner’s permit, or an adult driver seeking a basic driver safety course, check us out online to see what courses are available in your state!