New Driver Safety
It is always scary giving the keys to your newly licensed child. Below are a few tips to try to ease the stress of letting them take the wheel.
- First off, practice what you preach. Teen drivers learn a lot from how their parents drive.
- Send them to an Internet/In Class Safe driving course.
- Discuss the cost of having them insured and consider making them responsible for part of the cost.
- Instill an absolute no-drinking and driving policy.
- Encourage good grades to reduce rates.
- Consider requiring your child to change a tire alone before letting them take the wheel
- Encourage drivers not to speed as tickets are more impactful on youthful drivers in terms of rates.
- Make sure your child knows how to check fluid levels and tire pressure before sending them out on the road.
- Consider preparing a safety kit for your child to keep in the car. Be sure to include items for all weather conditions such as
- First-aid kit
- Tire gauge
- Cell phone charger
- Fire extinguisher
- Jumper cables
- Reflective warning triangles
- Flashlight
- Bottled Water
- Non-perishable snacks
- Umbrella
- Blanket
- Rain poncho
- Windshield scraper
- Cat litter or sand
- Gloves
- Rags
- Duct tape. It is the universal fix-it solution. Carry at least 10 feet of it.
- Tow strap or tow rope. It should be strong enough to tow 6,000 pounds
- Multipurpose utility tool
- Foam tire sealant
- Window breaker and seatbelt cutting emergency tool