Some parents may be surprised to hear that how you drive, talk about driving, and supervise practice directly affects how your children will drive in later life.

As a parent, your influence can mean the difference between your teenager becoming a competent driver or picking up risky habits.

Help your young person stay safe on the roads by:-

• Being a role model – always wear your seatbelt, stick to speed limits, and never use your phone while driving.
• Talk to your teenagers about the decisions you are making as you drive them about, such as why you are slowing down.
• Create a learning plan to give them plenty of accompanied driving experience including night-time, rain, motorways and busy town centres.
• Avoid letting them carry friends as passengers in the first few months after passing their test as it can be distracting and increase risky behaviour.
• Create a written agreement that sets out expectations, responsibilities and boundaries for independent driving. This might include when friends can be passengers, and what happens if they get a speeding ticket.

Studies show that teens whose parents are actively engaged like this are significantly less likely to engage in risky driving behaviours.

This is particularly important in the first six months after they have passed as this is the highest risk period for young drivers.

Most importantly keep the conversation going, check in regularly and continue to guide their decisions as they build confidence behind the wheel.

These tips are taken from this article written by Dr Elizabeth Box, Research Director, RAC Foundation for the Good Motoring magazine published by GEM Motoring Assist.

Dr Box is one of the key speakers at our upcoming FREE webinar on 1 October 6-7pm

Reserve your spot now!

👉 From Learner to Licensed: Parental Support for New Drivers