How to Teach Your Tween Safe Driving Skills — Before Driver’s Ed

Teaching teens to drive safely is important – and safety education shouldn’t wait until they’re ready for a learners permit. Even before your child is old enough to get behind the wheel, your tween is already observing and absorbing your habits that they’ll bring to the wheel. A big part of teen safe driving begins when they’re still watching you from the back seat. 

Well before your child can even reach the brakes you can teach them good driving habits. Instilling these responsible driving habits when kids are young can help them better understand the rules of the road.

So, before they hit the road, or even start driver’s education, there are driving skills you can teach your tween that can make them safer drivers. Here are some ways to teach safe driving skills to your tween. To make sure you have enough insurance when your child eventually drives on their own, speak to a Farm Bureau agent.

Tip 1: Lead by Example

Parents sometimes forget that kids’ first driving lesson happens from the back seat as they watch their parents drive. Children are like sponges, absorbing their parents’ example. And of course, it can be easy to have snap reactions to other drivers, and it can be hard to resist yelling at hazards on the road.

But when you have kids in the car, it’s important to lead by example and model good driving behaviors. Demonstrating good driving habits, such as defensive driving, early on will help them once they begin driving themselves. And don’t be afraid to tell your child why you made a particular defensive driving move on the road — they’re listening and learning, probably more than you know.

Tip 2: Teach Basic Traffic Rules

Before your children can get behind the wheel, they’ll have to prove they know the rules of the road in a written test. They will learn these rules in drivers’ education, but you can begin teaching them the rules sooner than that. From an early age, you can quiz them on what road signs mean, how stoplights and speed limits work and other driving etiquette rules.

Turn it into a fun game on road trips. You’ll be giving them a leg up when they do reach driving age!

Tip 3: Explain as You Drive

The best way to make sure your child is a good driver some day is to be a good coach now. When you’ve got your children in the car with you, it doesn't hurt to explain what’s going on while you’re driving. Simple and meaningful interactions like these encourage your child to ask questions and use critical thinking skills.

Introduce your child to driving maneuvers like merging, using a blinker and turning on your headlights. Ask them what green, yellow and red mean at a stoplight. These will be of value for them later in life and will remove some anxiety too as it can sometimes be overwhelming to new drivers when they first get behind the wheel.

Tip 4: Encourage Safe Passenger Behavior

Safety is of the utmost importance for all drivers and passengers. Encouraging your children to practice safe behaviors in the car can start when they’re the passenger. Teach them to put on their seat belt no matter how far they’re traveling. Show them the importance of staying alert and avoiding distractions. Ask them to help you perform tasks as a passenger that you shouldn’t do as a driver. All of these things model good behavior in the car. 

Tip 5: Address Distracted Driving

Being alert behind the wheel is one of the most important skills a driver can develop. Distracted driving claims the lives of thousands of people every year. Tell your tween about the dangers of distracted driving, including adjusting the radio or climate, texting a friend, speeding, eating or doing other things that take your attention away from the road. Enlist their aid in performing some tasks and model the right behavior for them by pulling to the side of the road when necessary. Don’t do anything in front of them that you don’t want them to do once they’re the ones in the driver’s seat.

Tip 6: Teach Responsible Car Ownership

Talk to your tween about responsible car ownership. Regular car maintenance can lead to a longer lifespan for your vehicle. While you don’t have to be an expert mechanic, here’s an easy-to-follow list of maintenance tasks to go over with your child. Without regular checkups, cars run into preventable issues that can cause accidents. Avoid these car maintenance mistakes and discuss the importance of responsible car ownership. 

Coverage When You Need It

It can be nerve-racking to imagine eventually letting your child get behind the wheel. Teaching them good driving practices before they are the ones in the driver’s seat can help keep them safer on the road and ease your mind. Before your child gets their license, reach out to Farm Bureau to make sure they’re properly covered and to discuss discounts available for good driving.