Being an inexperienced driver puts your teen at an increased risk of being in a car accident. They may be unprepared for how to cope with the aftermath.
It’s just as important to teach them what to do in the event of an emergency as it was to teach them to drive in the first place. Here are some ways you can prepare your teen for an accident.
Enforce the Seat Belt Rule
Wearing a seat belt is something that shouldn’t be open for negotiation. It’s an important part of keeping your teen safe in the car.
Instill in them the importance of the seat belt and how it can save their life. Make it a rule that it’s punishable by the loss of their car if you catch them not wearing it.
In many states, it’s already a law a seat belt must be worn if you don’t want to face a huge fine.
Have Emergency Numbers on Hand
Program emergency contact numbers into your teen’s cell phone. This can give you a little piece of mind knowing your teen knows who to call in the event they’re involved in an accident.
It can also save them from the anxiety of not knowing who they need to call. They should feel as though they know who to reach out to for assistance.
They also need to know they need to call 911 in the event of an accident. This will get the police and an ambulance out to the scene of the accident to help if anyone including your kids if they’re injured and to get a report of the accident.
Create an Accident Checklist
Develop a checklist of all the steps your teen will need to follow if they have an accident. This step by step guide can make all the difference in a stressful situation.
Attach it to their insurance card so they can have easy access to it. Make sure they understand what each step entails.
They can react with confidence during the situation as stressful situations can cause a person to forget some very crucial steps.
Purchase an Emergency Kit
An emergency kit can be an essential thing after an accident. As part of this emergency kit, include a first aid kit.
Vehicle first aid kits are designed to help you to deal with minor injuries associated with the accident. Being prepared is more than just knowing what to do.
It is being able to act in a stressful situation as best as you can. You want your teen to be able to handle the aftermath of an accident by keeping a cool head.
The best way to make sure they’re protected is to instill this knowledge into them. It may mean the difference between them doing the right thing or them having a complete meltdown on the side of the road.
