Page 9 - AAA Every Day – AAA Hudson Valley – March/April 2021

Shutterstock: Alexander Raths
One of the first things we learn as parents of new teenage drivers is that they have been watching our driving behavior for years. It’s a good idea to have
an open and honest discussion about this. Try to avoid being a hypocrite. Once your new drivers are on their own, they will most likely drive like you do and not how you’ve instructed them. Trust us, it won’t take long before they are speeding, driving distracted and practicing other common dangerous driving behaviors.
Have multiple discussions about the risks of driving going beyond just the risk of fatalities. Talk about the consequences of getting a ticket and who is responsible for paying the fine. In the case of a minor crash, how much it will cost? You may even be able to ask your insurance agent for an estimate on insurance cost changes if the family needs to submit a claim. On the subject of insurance, remember to discuss deductibles as well. New drivers have additional probationary periods, which could result in a license suspension or revocation.
As an experienced driver, consider this – Do you think you would pass if you were asked to take the written or in-car road test today? Use this opportunity to review and update your own driving knowledge. This will help you teach your teen to drive and to make a connection
between the rules and hands-on driving lessons. There is no such thing as a perfect driver. We all make mistakes and many drivers bend and break a few rules. The goal is to make sure we understand risk. Every driving decision we make either increases or decreases our risk. If we continue to make this risk connection, we will make better decisions behind the wheel.
As a driver gains experience, they get better at measuring risk. We learn from our mistakes, as well as from numerous close calls. This leads to better decision making and safer driving. Investing the time with your new driver and going beyond teaching to the road test is critical. With approximately 35,000 deaths per year on US roadways, these are truly lifesaving and life-changing decisions.
Would you like to discuss some additional ways we
can help you and your teen? Join us for this year’s annual Parent/Teen night for more safety tips. We can help you navigate New York’s complicated Graduated Licensing rules. Check out additional details on page 6 section of this issue. Visit AAA.com/TeenDriving to RSVP for this event. Plus, bring your child to one of our Travel Stores on their 16th birthday and they will receive a year for free on your membership. See AAA.com for details.
Mike Sweeney is a Traffic Safety Educator at AAA Hudson Valley.
MAR/APR 2021 I 9
SAFETY ZONE
Teaching Your Teens to Drive Better Than You Do