Vehicle Maintenance: Help Your Teen Drive Safely!
After spending years protecting your children from all sorts of dangers on the road and off, you now face the fact that your teens are starting to drive on their own. With the school year now in full swing, there are many teenagers behind the wheel going back and forth to school and other activities. As a parent, one of the first steps of preparation to do is to make sure that all recommended car maintenance services have been taken care of on the vehicle your teen will be driving. Due to their inexperience, they are not aware of the signs of vehicle maintenance issues.
5 Safe Driving Rules: It is a fact that teens whose parents impose driving restrictions typically engage in less risky driving and are involved in fewer crashes.
Here are five rules your teenager should agree to before you hand over the car keys:
- No Cell Phones - Talking on a cell phone while driving significantly reduces reaction time, regardless of driving experience. Texting is among the worst of all driver distractions.
- No Extra Passengers – A study shows that teen drivers were two-and-a-half times more likely to engage in potentially risky behaviors when driving with a teenage peer compared to when driving alone. Research further shows that the risk of a fatal crash goes up in direct relation to the number of teenagers in the car.
- No Speeding -- Speeding is a major factor for teen drivers involved in fatal crashes. Remind your teen to always follow the posted limit and of the potential consequences of speeding.
- No Alcohol – Teen drivers are at far greater risk of death in crashes involving alcohol than adults. Plus, if they survive a crash, they will have to face the consequences of breaking the law, which could include a trip to jail, the loss of a driver's license, legal fees/fines, and insurance consequences. They may also lose academic eligibility, college acceptance, and scholarship awards.
- Buckle up -- Remind your teen that wearing seat belts is the absolute best way to protect themselves and their passengers, whether it's just for a ride around the block or across town. Set the right example yourself by buckling up every time you get in the car.
Remember: The old adage, "practice what you preach" is so true! As a parent, you are the #1 role model to your teen for safe driving.
Make sure that any required vehicle maintenance issues are taken care of promptly to help ensure your teen is safe behind the wheel. Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive by calling (608) 221-8321 for more information about auto repair on all makes, models, and types of vehicles. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.
After spending years protecting your children from all sorts of dangers on the road and off, you now face the fact that your teens are starting to drive on their own. With the school year now in full swing, there are many teenagers behind the wheel going back and forth to school and other activities. As a parent, one of the first steps of preparation to do is to make sure that all recommended car maintenance services have been taken care of on the vehicle your teen will be driving. Due to their inexperience, they are not aware of the signs of vehicle maintenance issues.
5 Safe Driving Rules: It is a fact that teens whose parents impose driving restrictions typically engage in less risky driving and are involved in fewer crashes.
Here are five rules your teenager should agree to before you hand over the car keys:
- No Cell Phones - Talking on a cell phone while driving significantly reduces reaction time, regardless of driving experience. Texting is among the worst of all driver distractions.
- No Extra Passengers – A study shows that teen drivers were two-and-a-half times more likely to engage in potentially risky behaviors when driving with a teenage peer compared to when driving alone. Research further shows that the risk of a fatal crash goes up in direct relation to the number of teenagers in the car.
- No Speeding -- Speeding is a major factor for teen drivers involved in fatal crashes. Remind your teen to always follow the posted limit and of the potential consequences of speeding.
- No Alcohol – Teen drivers are at far greater risk of death in crashes involving alcohol than adults. Plus, if they survive a crash, they will have to face the consequences of breaking the law, which could include a trip to jail, the loss of a driver's license, legal fees/fines, and insurance consequences. They may also lose academic eligibility, college acceptance, and scholarship awards.
- Buckle up -- Remind your teen that wearing seat belts is the absolute best way to protect themselves and their passengers, whether it's just for a ride around the block or across town. Set the right example yourself by buckling up every time you get in the car.
Remember: The old adage, "practice what you preach" is so true! As a parent, you are the #1 role model to your teen for safe driving.
Make sure that any required vehicle maintenance issues are taken care of promptly to help ensure your teen is safe behind the wheel. Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive by calling (608) 221-8321 for more information about auto repair on all makes, models, and types of vehicles. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.
