5 Lessons You Need To Teach Your Teens About Cars 

 Teaching your child to learn how to drive can be a scary and surreal experience. On the one hand, you’re happy for their independence, but on the other, your maternal instincts are nervous to know they’ll be out there on the road alone. There are plenty of manuals and online guides to help teach your children how to drive, but they also need to know how to manage a car like an adult.   

Robert Foss, a senior research scientist at the Highway Safety Research Center of the University of North Carolina, conducted an analysis of 257,000 crash records and found that teens were making serious mistakes several months after they began driving unsupervised (including driving over a curb, running a stop sign, and pulling out into oncoming traffic). You want your children to be as well-rounded as possible when it comes to understanding not only how to drive, but how to behave in all types of situations, behind the wheel and outside of the car.

With that in mind, here are five lessons you should teach your teens about cars:   

The Ins & Outs of Auto Insurance 

Teaching your kids about insurance gives them a sense of responsibility. From a teen’s perspective, it can be easy to think of driving as just that: driving. That don’t see any of the work that goes into owning and operating a car legally. You want them to understand that the monetary price of owning a vehicle and/or driving costs more than just several gallons of gas.  

Teach them about how car insurance quotes work. Let them know that getting into any accident—no matter how small—can dramatically change the cost of insurance. You’ll also what them to understand different types of coverage, the definition of deductibles, and how the numbers break down.

For example, teens should know how to choose between liability or full coverage insurance. In most states, liability insurance is required by law but only covers personal injury and property damage for other drivers after an accident. However, full coverage (also called comprehensive plus collision insurance) covers other drivers and your teen. For full coverage, a deductible is often required.

Practice Driving On Diverse Roads 

A study conducted by Jessica Mirman, a research scientist at the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, found that parents who followed the center’s driving program when teaching their teens how to drive did much better than those that did not.  

The program, called the TeenDrivingPlan, encouraged parents to drive with their children on varied roads (back roads, turnpikes, crowded roads, and highways) and in bad weather. This versatility allows them to understand more about how to operate vehicles on all types of settings. A study based on the TeenDrivingPlan found that teens who followed it performed better on road safety tests afterwards than teens who did not.  

Basic Car Maintenance 

Knowing basic car maintenance allows your children to be in better control of their circumstances no matter where they are. Some of the three main car maintenance tips they should know are: how to change a tire, how to change their oil, and how to fill air when tire pressure is low. These might seem like intuitive things to you, but can make a first-timer very nervous.  

Open the hood of the car and show them different areas. Additionally, teach them about preventative car maintenance and the importance of getting consistent checkups. Next time you go to get your car serviced, have them tag along and encourage the auto shop to tell your child what they’re working on and why.  

What To Do During An Accident 

In the event of an emergency, your child’s response is critical. Teens have the highest rate of car accidents, and the more they understand about how to respond, the better off they’ll be. For starters, have them save phone numbers to roadside assistance in their phone. This way, they aren’t scrambling trying to research the nearest tow service during an emergency.  

You’ll also want them to understand that, in the event of an accident, it’s important that you move to the side of the road if possible. And lastly, help them understand that breathing techniques during an accident can help them stay calm. It’s natural to panic during an emergency, but the right meditative movements can help ease the overwhelming feeling of anxiety and fear.  

How To Avoid Distractions 

As a parent, you’ve become well accustomed to driving and know how to ignore the many road distractions that occur every day. In fact, you’re probably so used to avoiding them that you might not notice them at all. But the fact is, distractions are happening, and your children need to know how to avoid them and focus on the road.  

One of the biggest distractions is the cell phone. Under no circumstance should they be responding to texts and answering calls. According to the National Safety Council, cell phone distractions account for 1.6 million crashes every year. Newer car models have bluetooth capabilities for hands free, but even early drivers should avoid answering at all. Other distractions you want your child to be aware of are roadside accidents (looking over at an accident can lead to making your own mistakes), and studying GPS routes while in motion.  

What to do When the Car Window is Smashed

Teaching teens what to do in case their car window gets smashed is essential for their safety and preparedness. If they find their window broken but nothing appears to be stolen, it’s important to stay calm and avoid touching anything inside the vehicle. They should first document the damage by taking photos, and then report the incident to the police and their insurance company. It’s also wise to have the window repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage or theft. Knowing what steps to take if your car window’s smashed but nothing’s stolen can help teens handle the situation confidently.