Before Your Teen Begins Driving: Lesson 4

Inexperienced teen drivers need lots of practice to improve their skills, but that same inexperience means they face extra risks behind the wheel. Once your teen starts learning to drive, you can help keep him or her safe by practicing in ideal conditions: clear weather and limited traffic.

Clear Conditions

We don’t often think about the weather as a road hazard unless it’s a major issue, like flooding or a snowstorm. To teen drivers, however, a little rain or dark conditions can create serious problems. New drivers may be caught off guard and unsure how to handle poor weather, so plan to always check the weather forecast before driving with your teen, and only go out in clear conditions.

Limited Traffic

New drivers have a lot to focus on, and heavy traffic only makes driving more difficult. That’s why it’s best to have teens practice on roads with limited traffic. Not only will this remove potential obstacles and hazards, it will also limit the distractions your teen has to deal with. Look for quiet streets in your area where you can take your time teaching your teen without holding up traffic.

Talk: Before your teen even gets behind the wheel, talk through ideal driving conditions, and explain why they are needed to stay safe. Get in the habit of checking the weather with your teen before driving with him or her in the car. This way, your teen will learn to do the same before any future lessons.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Lesson 4: The Best Times for Teens to Drive

Clear Conditions

Limited Traffic

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Lesson 3: When Teens Shouldn’t Drive

Lesson 5: How Much Driving Practice is Enough?

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