It’s always scary seeing our children sit behind the wheel for the first time. One minute they’re learning how to walk, and the next, they’re begging to borrow the car. If your teen is in the middle of getting their G1 or G2 licence, you have a very important role to play in their driving career. Here are some ways you can help your teen become a responsible driver in Ontario.
Set Boundaries
We all remember what it was like to be a teen and want to go everywhere. If we were the first among our friends to get our driver’s license, then we were the designated driver for everything, and we liked it! But if our parents didn’t rein us in, we were likely to be up all night putting kilometres on the car.
When your teen is ready to get behind the wheel, sit down with them to discuss your expectations and boundaries. Let them know that you have a zero tolerance for drinking or using drugs and driving and that they have to be home at a certain hour. Be prepared to carry out consequences if your boundaries are stepped over.
Teach them by Example
How do animals learn to behave in the wild? By following their parents’ example, of course. You can’t expect your son or daughter to grow into a mature or responsible driver if your driving habits are setting a bad example. When you’re in the car with your teen, be sure to brush up on your driving manners; that is, remembering to signal and being considerate to other drivers, pedestrians, and bikers; and practicing safe highway driving. You might not realize it, but your kid is probably watching your every move.
Share Your Experiences
Teens think that we don’t know what they’re going through, but the truth of the matter is, we’ve all been behind the wheel in the early stages of our driving careers, terrified to make a mistake. Our children can relate better with real-life examples and experiences. They always want to know what they should do in a certain situation. Telling them how you handled a slippery road or a dangerous driver will give them the ability to put their own learning into practice.
Let Them Drive
Enough of the talking. It’s time to go for a ride. You can make your teen recite the Ontario Driver’s Handbook until they’re blue in the face, but unless they gain real driving experience, they’ll never learn the tactile skills it takes to become a responsible driver. Giving them the keys is like taking the training wheels off their bicycle. The only way they’ll be prepared to get their G2 is by giving them as much opportunity behind the wheel.
That’s where we come in. Ambitious Drivers has prepared teens all over the Greater Toronto Area pass their G1, G2, and G driving tests with thorough in-class training and road time. Register your teen today or contact us for more information.
