Teen Drivers and Parent Taught

Automobile accidents continue to be the leading cause of death for teens, especially in the first 6 months of independent driving.  Parent’s becoming more involved is definitely a step in the right direction.  If more parents signed up for parent taught driving programs, they would likely be more involved in their teens driving experience.  The graduated driving program is the right idea, but that really can only be successful if parents are more involved in driver training programs.  More hours behind the wheel practicing and stressing situational awareness and attention is the biggest key to safer driving. Of course maturity level is hugely a factor as well.  I know this for certain after teaching driving lessons to teens and adults.  Parents, please check out this link which has a lot of great information for parents regarding teen driving. Please do not make the mistake of  believing that a driving school is enough to get your teen started driving safely.  Yes, your teen absolutely needs drivers education course and the in-car driver training from a Texas Education Agency certified school, but parents must step up to the plate and commit to spending more time on the in-car techniques and practice, and even more time on the most important aspect of becoming a good driver, state of mind, attention, situational awareness of constant potential hazards.  It is the mental aspect that we truly believe is the main reason for increase in teen deaths.  After working for two other driving schools, and training under many other driving instructors from these schools, It became quite clear that there was not near enough training and practice on constant situational awareness of not only the traffic around them, but every cross street, driveway, and alleyway, which are all potential hazards when driving down the road.  I realized for the first time in my life this was what I was suppose to do.  I am suppose to teach in-car driver training in such a way that our driving school will be able to impact the driving school and family worlds in a positive manner.  Our teaching techniques for the physical part of driving are as good or better than any driving school out there, but where we absolutely make a huge difference is in the area of mental alertness and awareness that we impress upon all of our students each and every lesson for the entire lesson, as if they were being prepared to go into a battle.  Driving on our streets and highways today in areas like Dallas is like being on a battle field, and that is exactly what we say to our students.  ”Treat it like you are on a battle field and there are hazardous areas all around you where you can be killed”  All drivers need to be put through awareness drills constantly during the lessons while they are learning the physical aspect as well.  So, please visit this site and lets all get together on this and save lives. Teen Drivers and Parents

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