Tips For Parents of New Drivers

With these resources, you’ll feel better about handing over the keys to the Traverse

 

 

One of a teenager’s most exciting rites of passage is when they learn how to drive. For the parents of teens, however, this time is a little less exciting and a whole lot more nerve-racking. Thankfully, there’s a lot that parents can do to help their teenagers take this important step as responsibly and safely as possible. Check out the tips below, and breathe a little easier next time your teenager asks to borrow the family Traverse.

 

 

Learn Your State’s Graduated Driver’s Licensing Laws

Since the 1990s, nearly every state in the nation has passed graduated driver’s licensing laws (GDL laws), which put restrictions on new drivers until they gain more experience behind the wheel. These restrictions include limiting the number of passengers, imposing a curfew for driving at night and banning any and all cell phone usage. Parents should learn the specific GDL laws in their state (detailed here), and make sure their teenager follows them—no ifs, ands or buts.

Sign a Parent/Teen Agreement

It’s a smart idea for parents and their teenager to sign a Parent/Teen Agreement, which spells out the restrictions, privileges, rules and consequences of driving. This agreement puts parents and their teens on the same page (literally), and makes expectations clear from the beginning. For best results, parents must consistently enforce the agreed-upon consequences, and being able to point to a signed document definitely makes doing that a whole lot easier.

Ask for a “Flight Plan”

Studies have shown that teenagers have fewer accidents when driving somewhere specific as opposed to “joy riding” with no set destination. This is why it’s wise for parents to insist that their teenager never gets behind the wheel without filing a “flight plan.” Teens don’t have to be wearing aviator glasses, of course, but they do have to communicate to their parents exactly where they’re going and when they’ll be home.

Always Model Good Driving

Remember that anti-drug PSA from the 1980s where a kid shouted at his dad, “I learned it from watching you” at his dad? Well, teenagers learn how to drive by watching their parents, too. If you focus on driving the speed limit, following the rules of the road, and avoiding distractions, the only time your teen will say “I learned it from watching you” is when you ask them how they’ve become such an incredible driver.

Make Consequences of Drinking and Driving Clear

Teenagers understand that drinking and driving is dangerous, but they’re often unaware of how much a drunk driving conviction would impact their lives. Parents should explain to their teen that most states have zero tolerance for drivers under 21, which means they will have their license suspended if a breathalyzer test detects even a blood alcohol level of .01. Additionally, parents should walk their teen through the thousands of dollars of fees and costs associated with a DUI, and how it will impact their insurance for 3-5 years. With teenagers, the prospect of losing their license as well as their spending cash may be the biggest deterrents of all.

Discuss Distractions

Today’s teenagers have serious distractions behind the wheel. The most serious of these distractions is texting while driving. To demonstrate just how dangerous it is, parents can show their teenagers anti texting-and-driving videos available online, and ask them to take the “It Can Wait” pledge, which proclaims that “no text is worth the risk.” Teenagers can even upload their pledge to Facebook.

Resources

Here are a few resources parents should check out before handing over the car keys to their teenager:
“Teen Driver: A Family Guide To Teen Safety” was created by The National Safety Council and General Motors, and is full of in-depth, indispensable information.
“From Reid’s Dad: A Blog For Parents Of Teen Drivers” is full of resources and reflections written by Tim Hollister, who lost his teenage son, Reid, in a car accident.
“The Good Egg Guide For Parents of New Drivers” aims to “help keep your sons and daughters safer behind the wheel.”

The trademarks mentioned in this story are held by their respective owners.
Heather Spohr is a writer and philanthropist who blogs at the award-winning
The Spohrs Are Multiplying.

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Hudson Valley- Poughkeepsie Region Avoiding Animal-Related Accidents

It doesn't matter what part of the world you live in, there are undoubtedly free-roaming animals in residence that have caused havoc with local traffic. In the U.S. alone, the National Safety Council reported over a half-million animal-related auto accidents in 2003-a trend that has increased with time. Whether you live in an area populated with deer, moose, cows, turkeys, or any animal substantial enough to do damage to your vehicle, there are steps you can take to avoid a costly collision with wildlife:

Animal-related auto accidents tend to occur before and directly after sunrise- be especially on the lookout when driving at this time of day. Drive carefully in posted animal crossing zones-these areas are known for large populations of a particular species such as deer, for example. If it is dark out, use your high beams when there is no oncoming traffic. Animal eyes shine in the dark, and you have a better chance of spotting them at a distance. If an animal is close by, honk your horn and flash your high beams to scare it off. You've heard the term 'deer in headlights', flashing your lights should break the trance and effect action. If an animal is on or near the road, stay in your lane and brake firmly without locking up your brakes. At a slower speed you will have more time to consider- and take-the proper course of action. This last tip is an obvious but important one: always wear your seatbelt. Hitting an animal at any rate of speed can cause injury-even death.

Although mostly common sense, these tips are important to keep at top-of-mind when driving. Often, we only consider other drivers as a source of danger on the road, but the reality is that animals are unpredictable and many times we don't even realize that they are there. Awareness and preparedness are the keys to safety.

Car Washing Tips & Tricks

The warm weather is the perfect time to give your car a good cleaning inside and out.

1.  Use a sponge or mitt designed for automotive  use a lamb's wool mitt is ideal.

2.  Start at the top of the vehicle and move down; (the bottom accumulates the most dirt, and
     starting at the top will reduce the possibility of dragging dirt to the other parts of the car).

3.  To avoid scratching your paint, repeatedly clean your wash rag and refill the bucket water if
      it's very dirty.

4.  Use a different wash rag foryour car than your tires.

5.  In the same manner that you washed from the top to the bottom, spray off the soap
     starting at the top and move down the vehicle.

6.  Spray the wheel wells thoroughly as well as underneath the vehicle to remove dirt and debris.

7.  Avoid water spotting by drying the car immediately with a chamois or a 100% cotton terry
     cloth towel.

8.  For finishing touches, a microfiber cloth works nicely.

Try This:
- Wash your car in a cool, shady area to avoid streaking and to reduce water spotting.
-  Use car wash soap and not dish soap (some soaps can strip the wax and damage the finish).
-  Fill a large bucket with lots of water.  Dirt will settle to the bottom, cleaner water will
   stay at the top.
-  To remove stubborn stains such as insects, road tar, tree sap and bird droppings, try using
   undiluted car wash soap.  Using a sponge, apply the product full strength directly onto
   the spots, let penetrate for 3-5 minutes then wash off with water.