Help your teen drive safely over long distances.
While your teen might feel ready to conquer the open road, the idea of your teen driver on a long-distance road trip can be worrying. Unfortunately, you can’t always be there to keep them safe. That being said, you can always offer your teen advice and set rules for their long drive. Here are some of the safety suggestions that you should pass onto your teen driver.
- Take Frequent Breaks
While all drivers have a limit for how long they should drive at one time, teen drivers require even more frequent breaks. For instance, while an experienced driver can get away with only taking breaks every two to three hours, teens should take a break about every hour or so. Taking breaks allows drivers to stretch their legs, rest their eyes, and take a mental break from the extreme concentration that driving requires. Ultimately, taking frequent breaks will help teen drivers stay relaxed and focused while they are behind the wheel.
- Set a Driving Schedule
Before your teen leaves on their road trip, make sure that you know their planned driving route and work with them to organize their driving schedule. For instance, you should know how far your teen intends to drive every day, where they will stay overnight, and any attractions they plan to check out along the way. This way, you know where your child is without having to call or text them while they are on the road. Knowing your teen’s schedule will ensure that you can help the authorities find your teen if you lose contact with them or if they encounter an emergency situation.
- Teach Them Basic Navigation Skills
In today’s day and age, teens rely on their smartphones and other mobile devices to handle navigation. However, what happens if your child cannot catch a signal? To ensure that your teen doesn’t accidentally get lost or stranded, it’s vital that you teach them some basic map skills. This way, they can determine where they are, even if they cannot use their phone or car GPS system.
- Pack an Emergency Car Kit
As your teen is preparing for their road trip, they need to update their car emergency kit. Their kit should include essentials such as food, water, first-aid supplies, basic tools, a flashlight, spare batteries, extra phone chargers, and so on. Having these supplies on hand will be a major help if they run into trouble while on the road.
These are some of the safety suggestions that you should offer your teen driver before their long-distance road trip. Want another way to keep your teen safe on the road? If so, then make sure they have the right auto insurance protections in place. For assistance with all your car coverage needs, contact the experts at Gant Insurance Agency today.