How should you help your kids learn to drive?

Most people remember what it was like to get their driver’s license. You can probably recall how nervous you were when you first got behind the wheel and how exciting it was to drive yourself to school once you passed your driver’s test.

Years later, your experience in the driver’s seat has likely led to confidence on the road. However, if you have children who are old enough to learn to drive, you might not remember the defensive driving techniques you learned as a teen. As you teach your kids how to drive, you should familiarize yourself with the ways you can help them increase their safety on the road.

Five defensive driving tips you should teach your teen drivers

Some people are of the mindset that practice leads to perfection. However, you might agree it is more accurate to say that practice leads to permanent, which is of the utmost importance in terms of instilling safe driving habits in your kids.

As you hand your keys to your kids, be sure to teach them the concepts of the Smith System, which include:

• Allow yourself as much space as possible on the road
• Look far down the road to see what you might anticipate happening ahead of you
• Move your eyes every two seconds to reduce fatigue and help you avoid potential problems caused by other drivers
• Use your warning signals as soon as you notice signs of potential danger
• Check your mirrors approximately every five seconds, so you know what is happening behind and around your vehicle, as well as in front of it
• While you cannot completely account for the potential negligence of other drivers around you, staying alert and aware of your surroundings can increase your chances for remaining safe behind the wheel. Before letting your teens back out of the driveway on their own, you probably want to do everything you can to make sure you can see them return.