Knowing your newly qualified teenager will be heading out in the car can be nerve-wracking as a parent. However confident they are and however much you trust them, it’s clear that teenage drivers are at a high risk of crashing.
The main reason for this is inexperience. It takes hours of practice to gain the experience and comfort behind the wheel to be a truly safe driver. Some people never become safe drivers, but most reach a level where the threat they present to themselves and others drops significantly.
New drivers learn from their mistakes just as they learn from their mistakes in other areas of their lives. For example, the first time they nearly lose control when going too fast around a corner, they learn not to take corners so fast the next time. By pushing that boundary, they learn more about the limits of their car’s traction.
Parents can help children gain experience gradually
Most parents still have the power to impose limits on their children, to some degree at least. Examples of things parents could do with a new driver include limiting how many passengers they can carry, how far they can go, and what time they can drive.
If the kids break these rules or other rules that the law imposes, such as not drinking alcohol, not exceeding the speed limit and not using a phone while driving, then the parents can enforce consequences such as taking away the car keys for a few days.
Driving is a dangerous activity when you are inexperienced, and newly qualified drivers must respect the rules and drive with care. Sadly, even if your teen is careful, they could still be injured by other negligent road users. If this happens, seek legal guidance to find out more about personal injury claims.