February 27, 2025 | Reading Time: 6 min Instilling safe driving habits in your teenager is essential to helping them stay safe while behind the wheel. With the right guidance, they can become responsible and confident drivers, ready to handle any challenges that come their way on the road. By focusing on important skills like defensive driving, managing distractions, and handling tough weather conditions, you’ll set them up for success behind the wheel.
If your teen is ever injured in a car crash, contacting an experienced attorney can help you navigate the process and get the support needed to recover.
5 Tips to Teach Your Teen Safe Driving Habits
When your teen is first learning to drive, you may not know where to start in terms of what to teach them. The following tips will help you to teach your teen the driving skills they need to stay safe on the road:
1. Start with Driver’s Education
Before they get behind the wheel, they must complete a driver’s education course. In New York, this is required for all drivers under the age of 18. Driver’s ed teaches them the basics, like how to control a car, follow traffic laws, and understand road signs.
Beyond the classroom, make sure they spend time practicing driving with you in different settings. While your teen will learn a lot in their driver’s education class, it’s important to give them real-world experience. Spend time driving together through city streets, on highways, and in parking lots so they get comfortable in a variety of situations.
2. Teach Defensive Driving
Teen drivers can be easily distracted or act impulsively, so it’s important to teach them how to stay alert and anticipate other drivers’ actions. This means keeping a safe distance from other vehicles, watching for pedestrians, and always being ready for sudden changes on the road.
Encourage your teen to always scan the road ahead and stay calm in any situation. They should always be aware of vehicles changing lanes, pedestrians crossing the street, or cyclists weaving in and out of traffic. When they drive defensively, they’ll be better equipped to handle the unexpected.
3. Set Rules for Distractions
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of accidents among teen drivers. Texting and using a cell phone in any way while driving is not only dangerous but also illegal. In addition to fines and points on a driver’s license, it can lead to accidents that result in serious injuries.
Set a firm rule that your teen’s phone stays out of reach while driving. The temptation to check messages, scroll through social media, or answer calls can be strong, but the consequences can be deadly. Remind your teen that even eating or adjusting the radio while driving can be distracting and dangerous.
Consider setting up a “phone jail” — a designated spot in the car where their phone stays out of sight while they’re driving. The fewer distractions, the better.
4. Teach How to Handle Bad Weather
Weather can be unpredictable, so it’s important that your teen knows how to drive safely in challenging conditions. Whether it’s snowstorms in the winter or heavy rain in the spring, they need to be prepared for various weather challenges.
Teach your teen how to adjust their driving based on the weather conditions. In snow or icy weather, for example, they should slow down, maintain a safe distance from other cars, and avoid sharp turns or sudden stops. In heavy rain, remind them to use their wipers properly and reduce their speed to prevent hydroplaning.
One of the best ways to help your teen gain confidence is to practice driving in bad weather. Whether it’s fog, rain, or snow, real-world experience will help them feel more prepared for challenging conditions.
5. Lead by Example
As a parent, you are your child’s biggest role model, and they’re likely paying attention to how you drive. If you’re speeding, texting while driving, or not using your seatbelt, your teen might think that behavior is acceptable.
That’s why it’s so important to model safe driving habits every time you’re behind the wheel. Follow speed limits, stay off your phone, and always wear your seatbelt. When your teen sees you being a responsible driver, they’re more likely to follow your example.
What to Do if Your Teen Is Involved in an Accident
Even with all the right precautions, accidents can still happen. If your teenager is involved in a car accident while behind the wheel, it’s important that they know what steps to take. Here’s what they should do:
1. Make Sure Everyone Is Safe
First, check if anyone is injured. If there are injuries, call for emergency help right away. Stay calm and avoid any actions that could cause further harm.
2. Collect Information
Always exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver. Take photos of the scene, any damage, and visible injuries. If there are any witnesses, get their contact information as well.
3. Call the Police
Even if the accident seems minor, it’s always a good idea to call the police and have them respond to the scene. In New York, a police report must be filed within 10 days of the accident if there are injuries or over $1,000 in property damage. Additionally, an official police report will be helpful for insurance and injury claims.
4. Consult an Attorney
If they have serious injuries from the accident, speaking to an attorney can help ensure their rights are protected and that they receive the compensation they deserve. An experienced attorney can guide you through the legal process, negotiate with insurance companies, and help your teen avoid common mistakes that could affect their case.
Cellino Law Is Here To Help
Helping teenagers develop safe driving habits takes time and practice. By focusing on essential skills like defensive driving, reducing distractions, and navigating tough weather conditions, you’ll set them up to be a confident and responsible driver.
If your teen is injured in an accident, the Cellino Law team is here to guide you through the process. Contact us today for a free case consultation at 888-888-8888 or fill out our web form to get in touch.
Content checked by the personal injury attorney Ross Cellino. As a family man and a trial attorney, I pride myself on winning cases and serving the community. With over 35 years of experience, I understand the function of a jury, how juries arrive at conclusions, and the role that the jury plays in administering justice. I know how to win cases. You can find us in Manhattan, Buffalo, Melville, Rochester, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens and other locations throughout New York.