Over the last week there was an article in one of my local papers regarding a study looking at how kids emulate risky driving behaviors of their parents.  This study concluded that while sons pick up habits primarily from their fathers, girls pick up behaviors from both parents.  I thought this was interesting since my last article Preparing Children with Disabilities to Drive. 

This week I thought I would blog about being a good driving role model.  Teens will look to their parents as models from which to learn driving.  Are you modeling good driving behavior?  What is good driving behavior?

Driving Skills to Model:
• Drive within the speed limit.  Don’t let your child think it is ok to drive 5 miles over the speed limit because police don’t pull you over.  A new driver may encounter situations they cannot handle at speeds in excess of the limit.

• Stop prior to the crosswalk or stop line.  A complete stop, before pulling forward to see if it is safe to make a right turn on red.  A new driver may not see the bike about to cross the intersection as quickly as an experienced driver, because they do not have as efficient search patterns as an experienced driver.

• Don’t drive too close. Maintain a proper following distance.  A minimum of two seconds between the back end of the car in front of you and your vehicle is required in ideal conditions.  You measure following distance by counting as the back of the car in front of you passes a fixed point – line in the road, a sign, shadow, etc.- until the front end of you car reaches the same fixed point.  Count a steady “one and two”. 

• Don’t drive distracted.  If you must use a cell phone, use a Bluetooth head set, but don’t let your child use one while driving.   Other distractions can include texting, eating, ipod use and even other passengers. 

• Stop so you can see the bottom of both tires of the car in front of you.  This gives you an out if the car in front stalls.  You will be able to maneuver around it.  You will also not be responsible if you are rear-ended and hit the car in front of you.  You are responsible if you are struck and pushed into the car in front of you if you do not have the proper stopping distance.

• Be courteous to other drivers.  Allow others to merge or make lane changes.  Don’t use rude gestures.  Don’t cut off others. 

• Use you turn signals regardless if anyone is behind you.  It is the law!

Modeling good driving behavior may make you child a safer driver, it’s up to you!