Traffic violations might seem like nothing major at first, but too many of them can interfere with your teenager’s driving privileges for a long time coming.
Teaching your child about responsible driving habits requires you to set a good example from the start. Your effort to encourage good behavior and educate about the dangers of careless driving can make a difference in your child’s desire to be safe and law-abiding.
Be mindful of your behavior
Your behavior will make a considerable difference in your teen’s experience and is something you should be always mindful of. Make sure you eliminate distractions and refrain from using your phone at all while driving. Encourage moderate conversation in the vehicle with voices and music at a low volume. Avoid road rage and show respect to other drivers. Mind traffic laws and practice defensive driving always.
Create a driving contract
Consider signing a driving contract with your teenager. This is an agreement that discusses your expectations for your child. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, texting and driving could increase the risk of crashing by a staggering 23 times. Talking with your child about the importance of following the rules you have set and making connections to safety may provide an incentive for compliance.
Enforce consequences for non-compliance
Equally as important as teaching responsible driving habits is enforcing consequences when your child disobeys. Be consistent about how and when you enforce consequences to send the message loud and clear that you expect obedience. Creating trust and respect will make everyone’s experience a more positive one.
Traffic violations include speeding tickets, reckless driving, failure to yield and running red lights, for example. With your guidance and encouragement, your teen driver can avoid infractions that could jeopardize driving privileges.