Mainly due to the lack of experience and a nasty attitude, teens are more likely to be involved in or be the cause of an accident than other drivers. Even worse, it is mostly not their fault, but the fault of their parents. Teach a child to behave while they are still receptive, and chances are that they will stick by your instructions even when they are older. However, a child left to themselves brings shame to their parents. It's your duty as a parent to prepare your child for driving before they start working for their driving license. The kind of driver your child is going to be is likely a representation of your parenting. If you want your parenting to come out as successful and deserving admiration, below are a few guidelines to observe to get your teen ready for the ways of the road.

Discipline

Discipline is the most important thing when driving. Let your teen know from the start that you will demand the highest form of discipline from them when driving. Just as you have always taught them to be disciplined in other areas of their lives as people, you should do the same when it comes to driving. It takes only one accident to take the life of a person. Any reckless driving should not be tolerated. Let your teen know what will be expected of him or her as a driver and make it unequivocally clear that the consequences of any violations of the rules given will be severe. Because he or she is still under your roof, and the state probably considers them a minor, driving is a privilege to them, not a right.

A disciplined driver is a reliable one. Talk to your teen about responsibility. Outline your rules for them. Even create a contract highlighting the rules and the consequences of breaking them if you must. Ensure that the both of you sign it; make it official. You get the idea. Let your teen know that they are to observe both your driving rules as a parent and the state laws if they are to enjoy the privilege of driving.

Lead By Example

Children learn from their environment. Albeit it may not seem like it and most parents may not notice it, parents are one of the most influential people in their children's life. If you are a good role model, chances are that your children will admire and emulate that and strive to be just like you. Nevertheless, if you are a bad role model, they will seek guidance from other places like the internet, television, your sister, brother, cousin, the neighbors, or their unreliable misguided friends although some of them may be reliable. If your road manners are lacking, then don't expect your teen to be any different; unless they are more mature and reasonable than you are. If that's the case, then stop reading this article and have them read it because they are the ones who will be preparing you for driving.

Don't expect your teen to follow the ways of the road when you often just drive through a red light, drive when drunk or text while driving. Even if you shout "I am your Mother/ Father, I am the grown up here, you do what I say or else". Children, particularly teens, are not stupid. You can beat your chest all you want, but at the end of the day, the example you set is what will prevail.

Fear and Anxiety are Contagious

You should be excited that your teen is growing up and learning to take responsibility. Don't be anxious or worried that they are going to crash, be in an accident or knock over all the garbage bins in the neighborhood. Have some faith in their ability to take responsibility and become responsible drivers. If you become anxious or are afraid that something not so good will happen, that fear or anxiety may spread to them and the very thing you feared may happen. What you fear, you create. Don't prophecy your child's doom but foretell their success as responsible and reliable drivers. Please note that I wrote, "Have some faith…" I'm only implying that you should believe that your teen has the capacity to become a responsible driver and give them a fair chance to do so. However, do not believe in them blindly.

Tough Love

Just because your teen has reached the legal age to start driving doesn't necessarily mean that he or she is ready to start driving. If you know your teen to be reckless, careless, or irresponsible in a significant way, it may be better for you to wait a while longer before giving them the green light to start learning to drive. Wait for another year or two, or until the time they'll show they are mature and responsible enough to take on such a responsibility. Let them earn it. In fact, all teens should earn the privilege to learn how to drive. If they prove to be irresponsible, they should keep being passengers until they prove they are ready to become the drivers. There are people's lives at risk here.

This can be tough for some parents. Nevertheless, the only motivation you need is that if something goes wrong because your child was driving recklessly, their life could be at risk. As it is your innate desire and duty as a parent, your priority is the safety of your child.

Know the Laws of Your State

The state laws should be part of the driving rules you'll set for your teen before they start driving. In some states, teens have driving curfews; they are not allowed to be on the wheel during certain hours often late at night. As a parent, you should be familiar with such laws and other driving laws that apply to all drivers. This will give you a better chance of preparing your teen for driving rather than relying solely on driving schools. If you are ignorant of such rules, you could allow your child out at night to drive to someplace and they may be arrested for driving at the wrong hour. In such a case, whose fault will it be? Yours!

Safety First

Most parents give their teens the most useless and unsafe car to go learn to drive with and as their car for driving whenever they please. This increases the chances that your teen may suffer critical injuries in case of an accident. Remember that teens are more likely to be involved in car accidents due to their inexperience and nasty attitudes. Now, if you add a worthless car into the mix, you will be contributing to the factors why teens are more likely to be involved in a car accident. Rather, go the extra mile and get your teen a safe car to drive. Instead of giving them your old vehicle, give them the new one. If you don't want to give them the new one, get them something that actually shows you care about their safety and well-being. According to AA, a parent should get their teen a car with a 3-star safety rating, or above if you can get one. Get them a car with airbags, electronic stability control, and ABS brakes. This should be part of your plan for preparing your child for driving.

Practice Away from Real Traffic

By real traffic, I mean away from busy roads or places where people frequent. Choose a large free tarmacked area or somewhere with a solid ground for a car to give your teen, the driving lessons you'd like to pass on. Remember to stay calm and give clear driving instructions to make it easier for them to follow and actually learn something.

The first driving experience for your teen can be fun and exciting or it can be a horrible and painful experience for the both of you. Observe the above guidelines to make it the former. I believe you want the best for your child and you can give it to them; so do it!