Teaching Your Teen Driving Safety in a New Age of Technology
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Teaching Your Teen Driving Safety in a New Age of Technology
The act of driving has changed a lot over the last 20 years. While cars used to be basic conveniences, technological advancements have made them more intelligent than ever. On top of the tech in our vehicles, we also have advancements with cell phones and digital streaming, which provide unlimited hours of entertainment but can be distracting when used behind the wheel.
Due to our evolving world, our young drivers must start on the right foot by understanding how tech can help keep them safe but also how to use it properly. If you are the parent of a new teen driver, it would be wise to follow the advice and tips below so you can rest easy knowing that your youngster is making smart decisions behind the wheel.
Getting Started
Before you even get into the tech aspect of driving, you need to ensure that your teen has the prerequisites to get on the road in the first place. This means getting insurance figured out and completing all necessary paperwork at the DMV. Your teen should also get an eye exam to determine if they need corrective lenses when on the road. Though all kids should have this exam, youngsters who show signs of vision issues, like constant squinting and frequent headaches, should see an optometrist right away.
At the start of your driving instructions, teach them some basic car maintenance tasks that they can do to keep their car running well for years to come. This is where technology has become especially important due to websites like YouTube that offer expensive video lessons from experienced professionals that can walk you through how to change the oil, a tire, or check the battery.
While we can talk all day about the many dangers and benefits of driving in this new age of technology, your teen will only truly understand how to act when on the road by learning from your example. When parents are teaching their kids to drive, they should never be texting while driving or flipping through the radio channels. Instead, keep your eyes on the road, the music at a moderate level, and always use your signals so they understand that you practice what you preach. Using your signals is one of the many safety tips you can pass on to your new driver as you teach by example.
Dangers of Technology
While evolving technology provides many incredible benefits in our everyday lives, when you are behind the wheel moving at fast speeds, the tech we rely on can quickly become a distraction. Parents need to make it very clear that texting and talking on the phone while driving should never happen. Over the last couple of years, millions of car crashes have occurred due to distracted driving and thousands have died. Parents who don’t want their children to become a statistic need to teach them to never have a phone in their hands while driving. They should also be made aware of the hands-free options on their phones before they put the car in drive.
While in many cases, GPS and navigation systems are an example of safety tech that helps us get to our destination without getting lost, they can also cause distractions that can take a teens’ eyes off of the road. To avoid an unnecessary accident, teach your teen that they should enter the directions to their destination before leaving the parked position, and if they need to alter the directions, they should pull over to a safe place to do so.
The GPS can also be helpful if your teen has car trouble or breaks down on the side of the road. They can use it to find the closest mechanic if they need to be towed or see if a police station is nearby. While you are on the subject, instruct your young driver about safety during breakdowns. Remind them of the importance of getting their car off to the side of the road, putting flags or reflectors around the vehicle, and give them information for AAA or another service that they can call for assistance.
Safe Technology
While technology can pose some danger when not used properly, vehicles of all types have evolved drastically over the years and the safety features built into them can save a life. The important thing is teaching your teens about what they have at their disposal and how to take advantage. For example, Chevrolet has their teen driver technology which includes audible and visual reminders to buckle seat belts and a speed limiter that restricts how fast they can go.
There have been many strides when it comes to new technology like lane departure alerts, with many new car models coming equipped with sensors and alarms that sound off when your teen moves even slightly out of their lane. Some vehicles even come with Lane Keeping Assist, where the car moves itself back into proper lane alignment. These tools are great, but they can be jarring if the driver doesn’t know they are there and are caught off guard. So, parents who have these safety features should instruct their teens about them and how they work.
Other safety features that can be unsettling if the driver is not aware of them are blind-spot alerts and automated braking systems. Again, the parent needs to read over the safety booklet in the vehicle’s glove compartment so they can educate themselves on the features included in their vehicle and translate that information properly to the teen. More cars are also coming with backup cameras as a standard option. These are critical for not only keeping the driver safe but also bystanders who may be hidden behind, out of sight.
In general, the evolution of technology has helped our world become smarter and safer than ever before, especially in our vehicles. As parents, make it a point to teach your teens about the importance of car safety features but don’t forget to tell them of the dangers as well.
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