Page 23 - AAA Hudson Valley – AAA Every Day – March/April 2019

Teaching Teens to Drive
SAFETY ZONE
Spring is Prime-Time for
Will you be teaching your teenager to drive this year?
This is a question that fills many parents with anxiety. Don’t panic; maybe we can help.
Like most things in life, knowledge is power. Before you head to your local Department of Motor Vehicles office,
to help your child get their learner permit, there are some things you should do first. Here are three great websites you and your teen should spend some “quality time” with:
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles – DMV.NY.GOV
Both parents and new drivers will find a lot of useful, state-specific information. Click on the tab for “Licenses, Permits, & IDs” and then “Learner Permits.” From here you can even view the official DMV drivers’ manual without leaving your home. There are practice quizzes at the end of each chapter to help prepare for the written permit test. This website also will give you current information on the Graduated License Law in New York. Under the heading, “Apply in DMV office,” you will find information that could save you making multiple trips
to DMV. There also is a “Resources” section you might find helpful. You might want to get a head start before your teen, so you’re ready for the questions that will come up. Even an experienced driver could have a difficult time passing a permit or road test without a little preparation. One tricky conversation that might come up will be the differences between the “rules of the road” and the way people drive. Remember: your child has been watching you drive for years; Let’s hope they picked up some good habits, not just the bad ones.
AAA Teen Driver Safety Website: Keys2Drive – teendriving.aaa.com
Most people are aware that motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens in the United States. The tips and advice you will gain from this site can dramatically reduce this risk for you and your family. Drivers education classes or professional driving lessons are a real plus. However, studies show that the most critical driver training tool is time. The more hours of supervised driving practice the better. This supervised training should include highway, city and rural roadways under varied levels of traffic. Don’t forget night driving and inclement weather. Most of us are quick to take over driving when conditions are not ideal, but remember, once your teen has their license, you won’t always be there.
AAA Hudson Valley – AAA.com
You might be prompted to enter your zip code. This should help direct you to your local AAA club. The traffic safety team at AAA Hudson Valley is always available for support and advice. Check out our list of Defensive Driving and 5-Hour Pre-Licensing classes by clicking on “Safe Driving.” You also can email us at trafficsafety@ aaahv.com or call 518-426-1000, ext. 2442.
Join us in person for our annual Parent/Teen night. Free AAA Member Benefit
Tuesday, April 2, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Check out AAA Bulletin on page 6 for details.
Michael Sweeney is a Traffic Safety Educator at AAA Hudson Valley.
MARCH/APRIL 2019 I 23
Shutterstock, DaisyDaisy