New Driver Headed Back To School?  Help Them Avoid A New Haven Auto Accident

Going back to school is an exciting time for parents and kids, but it becomes an especially exciting time for those kids who have just earned their drivers license over the summer and are able to drive themselves to school. These drivers, while excited, are also quite inexperienced and this could put them and others at risk of getting into a New Haven auto accident as many studies have shown that one of the most dangerous demographics of drivers are new drivers.

So, what are parents to do? On one hand, you want to give your newly minted driver the keys and let them have the independence they so crave at this age. On the other hand, you know there is a grave risk at handing them your car and letting them race to school each and every school day. There has to be some sort of middle ground. That middle ground can be to make sure your child is fully aware of safety measures they can take to have the independence they crave while also being aware of your safety concerns.

It may be hard to get your new driver’s attention to go over some of these safety procedures, but if you tie these conversations to their ability to use a car to get to and from school, work or play, they will likely be more receptive to these safety tips. Safety will not be at the forefront of their minds, so it needs to be at the forefront of your mind and remember that you are the responsible adult that needs to make sure your child is fully equipped to be the best driver she/he can be.

With all of this in mind it is important to provide your child with some of the following information regarding safety while driving. Much of this they will have gone over in their driving safety courses, but they are all good reminders.

Tip #1: Practice regularly. No, practice regularly doesn’t mean they can take the car whenever they want to and go wherever they want. Practice regularly means, get in the car with an adult and drive often. If you are going to the store, ask your son or daughter to drive you there. If you’re going on a road trip, maybe she/he can take the driving duties for a leg of the ride. Whenever there is the possibility of practice make sure she/he is taking it. The more practice driving they do, the less they will feel uneasy about their abilities.

Tip #2: Follow All Traffic Laws: This one is more of a reminder then it is one of your rules, because if your new driver doesn’t follow all the traffic laws, she/he may not be asking your permission to drive, they may be asking the state. It is important that you take some time with your new driver and go over all of the rules, again, even though they may have already gone over them in their driving classes. Make sure your new driver understands each rule and give them the space to ask any clarifying questions that they might have. Go over all of the street signs and lights and signals to make sure they know what everything is before they hit the road.

Tip #3: Encourage Defensive Driving: Remind your new driver that while she/he is driving they should take a defensive posture. That is, anticipating hazards by focusing on their surroundings and adjusting their driving behaviors accordingly. Keep a safe following distance to the cars that are surrounding them and make sure to maintain visibility by keeping headlights on and using turn signals. These few defensive driving strategies will go a long way to keeping your child safe from the dangers of driving, especially as they are just starting out.

Ultimately you will need to have faith in your child that she/he is taking the responsibility of driving seriously and that they are doing all of the things you suggest to avoid a New Haven auto accident and keep themselves safe from an injury. While you cannot be there with them every step of the way you can be a voice reminding them of the things that they need to stay safe. Believe it or not, your teenager still looks to you for advice and guidance and one of the most important, new things in their lives, will be their license and driving to and from places independently. If you can be a voice for safety and practice, they will follow your lead.

Inexperience does sometimes lead to incidents that could result in injury or property damage. You may want to contact an experienced attorney who can review the circumstances surrounding a situation you find yourself in. Our office has a number of experienced attorneys who can review your situation and work with you to protect your long-term interests.