Parent’s Guide for Teens First Road Trip

Seth Smiley here from the Smiley Law Firm with today’s edition of Parents of Teen Drivers. We are discussing our “Parent’s Guide for Teens’ First Road Trip.”

It is the time of year for the hundred deadliest days of summer. It is when teens want to get out on the road and drive around with their friends.

Our 10 Tips for Keeping Your Teen Safe During a Road trip

We will look at some of the things that you can do to help your teenager safely prepare for their first road trip, whether it is solo or with friends. These include:

1.   Properly plan the trip

Go online and Google where they are going and all of the stops in-between. Also, check where it is suitable if they will need to stop overnight somewhere. Book hotels and plan everything ahead of time.

2.   Know the route

Make them get familiar with the route and look at alternatives in case anything goes wrong. Google Maps, Apple Maps, and apps such as Waze are a great help.

3.   Make sure they properly prepare the vehicle

Do general checks such as changing the oil, and properly inspecting and inflating the tires.

Also, check the windshield wipers are not dry rotted and change if necessary. Rain-X the windows also to make sure they are good to go.

4.   Coach your kids on what to do if the police pull them over

Ensure that they won’t panic, have all of the necessary documents on them, and know what to say.

5.   Make sure they or their passengers don’t have any drugs or alcohol in the car

It might sound obvious, but this is important. Even a passenger having an open alcohol container or illegal drugs in the car can mean the driver is getting into trouble. Even going to jail!

6.   Make sure there is an emergency kit

An emergency kit similar to the one we recently gave away would be perfect. Make sure they know how to change a tire and do simple maintenance checks.

7.   Have the roadside assistance number ready

In case of breakdown, make sure they prepare on how to call AAA or your preferred roadside service.

8.   Coach them on over driving

Recommend they take a break every few hours and be aware of the teen driving laws that state that after every eight hours of driving, you need to take a four-hour break.

Fatigue when driving is a killer!

9.   Pack an ice chest

Fill an ice chest with snacks and drinks. Stress that it is essential to pull over before eating and drinking.

10. Stay in touch

Stress the importance of calling you when they reach the discussed checkpoints along the way, and when they are at the destination.

You can make sure that they are staying safe, have no issues, and arrive at their destination happy and on time.

The teen driving statistics during the hundred deadliest days of summer are frightening, so it is worth taking the time to go through these steps with your kids.

This was a quick guide to our “Parent’s guide for teens’ first road trip.” If you have anything to add or any personal experience to share, please leave a comment below.