I always told my kids that they had to remember that when they are behind the wheel they are in control of a piece of machinery that can kill people. They must take it seriously.

Unfortunately, no matter how hard you try, sometimes teens think they know better or it won’t happen to them, and it all goes wrong

Yes, very important to be a good role model and set a good example.

You would be surprised how much young children who are interested in cars learn by just observing what you do. We were surprised how much a young lad learnt from observation when his parents were driving. e.g. in a manual car, how and when to change gear, the sound of the motor when you needed to do it. He drove a car in a paddock at the age of 12 when holidaying on a farm, much to his parents’ horror. When asked how he knew how to drive a car, he informed then he had been watching and learning without them realising. He just put it into practise instead of theory.

Some sound advice here, thanks. If you can find a locally run defensive driving course, it is well worth the effort too. It helps reinforce that you need to drive not only for yourself but for other unexpected hazards and unaware drivers on the road also.

Great tips. My son is 14 and has just had a lesson at school on driving skills. I love that this is something that was part of his curriculum. We also use many teaching moments – examples of his older cousins who are driving and/or preparing to drive — what to do and not to do when driving.

I like your second point getting them to help make the decision on big house hold items.

Good tips 🙂

I would add – Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

Thank you for all of comments. 🙂

Don’t give in to peer pressure!! AND just because someone else does it, doesn’t mean you should too!!

Starr early – no good modelling road rage for 16 years and then expect them to listen when they are learning to drive.

Excellent tips as I believe that all children should be taught about the consequences to their actions.

Thank goodness I still have min 12 years before my four will be behind the wheel. I’m already loosing sleep and these tips are so important because driving and young people can have very serious consequences.

Teaching responsibility is important so that young adults will have respect for themselves and others. It is equally important to teach teenagers that not everyone is responsible and to be prepared for anything, especially when driving.

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  • • mom93821 replied
    • 29 Feb 2016 , 5:58 am

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  Being prepared for anything is definitely important – it can be quite dangerous on the road.

Number one is probably most important.

I have a few years before my son gets to this stage but still read with interest. Thanks for sharing.

Totally agree with these lessons. I dread the day I have to teach my kids to drive but I know that by starting now while they’re young, we’re already teaching them valuable lessons.

Being a good driving role model starts when they are young, teaching respect starts at a young age.

I really like these tips. Don’t start the in teenage years – start than from the early years.

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  • • mum4107 replied
    • 28 Feb 2016 , 1:17 pm

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  I totally agree about starting earlier