As a parent, you have mixed feelings when it is time for your teen to venture onto Florida’s roadways on their own. Part of ensuring your fears are not realized, is to make sure your teen is prepared for potential dangers that might arise when they are driving.
Graduated Driver’s License Requirements
One of the first things you should discuss with your teen is the requirements they have agreed to by obtaining their learner’s permit or driver’s license. For instance, there are limitations on the hours they may drive, the number of passengers they may transport, and other restrictions which they may have to be aware of before they take to the roadways in Florida. Make sure teen drivers understand they are putting their right to drive in jeopardy if they violate any of these limitations.
Rules of Driving Enforceable by Parents
Every parent should have continuous and ongoing conversations with their teen driver and set out rules, which must be followed and provide their teen with real consequences for not following those rules. Some common rules you should discuss include:
- Distracted driving – teens should understand there are real consequences associated with distracted driving including the potential of causing an accident. Distractions include other passengers, texting, and even the use of GPS devices. Make sure your teen understands they are to focus on the roadway and their driving once they get behind the wheel.
- Impaired driving – alcohol, illegal drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and prescription medications can have an impact on how well we pay attention to the road. Make sure your teen understands that impaired driving is extremely dangerous, and they should avoid driving if they are taking any type of drug.
- Safety gear – your teen driver should understand seat belts save lives and they should always buckle-up behind the wheel. The use of seat belts is mandatory in Florida and should be adhered to. Keep in mind, your teen driver can be cited for failure to buckle up.
- Defensive driving – every driver should remain alert to what is going on around them on the roadways. Make sure your teen driver understands the rules pertaining to public safety vehicles, and they are paying attention to what other drivers are doing on the roadways. Make sure they also understand signals, speed limits, and understand the importance of keeping both hands on the steering wheel at all times.
Make sure you are setting a good example for your teen driver by adhering to all the rules of the road when you are driving. Despite your best efforts, and regardless of how safe your teen driver is, they may still be involved in an accident. If you, or your teen, is involved in an accident contact Ginnis, Krathen, & Zelnick, P.A. at (954) 905-4600, or submit your free case analysis on our website. We help make sure you understand your rights and how no-fault insurance rules may impact your insurance claim.