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Being able to drive brings a sense of freedom. You can go wherever you like. You aren’t restricted by bus or train timetables, and you feel you’re finally becoming an adult. As a parent, you’ve already gone through this. However, your kids are just starting to realize just how vital driving will be to them. If they are at an age where they have gotten their license, the next step is to think about them buying a car, but before they do, here are five things to remind them about before they get behind the wheel.
Can They Afford It?
You don’t need to tell them that owning a car is expensive. If it’s not paying for gas, it’s keeping it clean. If it’s not keeping it clean, it’s making vital repairs that will keep it on the road, and that’s even before you consider car insurance and everything else.
You also don’t need reminding that your child might not have enough money to run it. Their allowance sure won’t cover it, while a part-time job is unlikely to cover a month’s worth of gas. As exciting as buying a car can be, the financial aspect is never something you should ignore. However, you can work out a budget with your child, so they can manage to keep the car.
What About a Disaster?
Many potential disasters could occur while on the road. This can include small issues such as backing into a wall or bollard, to more significant and damaging issues, including car crashes or breakdowns. When these occur, your child must know how to overcome them by themself.
You can teach them how to fix and change a flat tire should they get a puncture. Furthermore, make sure they have all the necessary information in the event of a crash, such as the insurance details and even a car accident injury lawyer if the problem is more serious. This information will help them navigate any disasters comfortably. Hopefully, they never need this information, but it’s always best for them to know it.
Fast Does Not Equal Cool
Kids love to show off to their friends, and they might fall victim to peer pressure a little too easily. However, this car is their responsibility, so you must remind them that there is nothing cool or flashy about going too fast.
No parent wants to scare their kids, but sometimes, this is precisely what you need to do. Driving and owning a car means they need to be responsible for their safety and everybody else’s safety. Ensure they keep to the speed limit (even going as far as to install a Black Box) and remind them that it is not just themselves they could put in danger.
Are They Confident Enough?
While many kids can’t wait to learn how to drive, others will only do so because they understand its importance. Often, these are the ones who are not as confident behind the wheel, and this could indicate they are not ready for a car.
Driving isn’t just about getting from A to B, but knowing when to pull out into traffic, merge, or switch lanes. If your child is not confident with these maneuvers, they could be a danger to themselves and others. Some instructors will offer post-pass lessons, where they can get your child used to more challenging driving scenarios in a mostly safe environment.
Make The Most of Features
Considering your children won’t have the driving experience that you do, you should encourage them to take advantage of the wealth of features that make driving more comfortable for the modern world. An on-board sat nav or mapping app on their phone will help direct them to the right place without them getting lost, whereas cruise control can help take the stress out of long drives.
These features are included to make the whole experience more satisfying, and if your kid can afford a car that boasts as many useful features as possible, they will take to driving much more quickly.
Ready For the Road
You will need to trust that your child can drive a car safely at some point, so you may as well help them get ready for the road as soon as they can. However, you can’t expect them to know everything about driving, and this is where you come in. Share your wisdom with them and encourage safe driving habits, and you won’t have anything to worry about when they head to school, the store or even a road trip.
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