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Guidance for parents
When your children were young, it was easy for you to take total responsibility for their safety - especially in the car. When they start driving, they are taking responsibility for their own safety as well as the safety of their passengers and other road users.
When they first pass their test, young drivers don't have the experience, driving skills or judgement skills of more practiced driver, subsequently;
· More young men are being convicted of causing death or bodily harm on UK roads than ever before, with those aged 17-20 responsible for more than a quarter of offences. Over 60 times more young men than young women were convicted of the UK’s most serious offences in 2005 – causing death or bodily harm and dangerous driving. Male drivers aged 17-20 were responsible for 1,993 of the 6,177 total convictions representing nearly a third of such convictions – despite representing only around 3% of the UK driving population.
· More accidents involve 18 year olds than any other single age group.
· Driving too fast for the conditions is a factor in a quarter of all young driver accidents.
Your responsibility
Long before they are legally allowed to get behind the wheel, young drivers will be picking up driving habits from adult drivers. Some of these habits might be very positive - habits like wearing seat belts, switching the mobile phone off and spotting hazards in good time. They may also pick up less positive driving habits, such as inappropriate speed and inconsiderate and aggressive driving; habits that might put their lives at risk.
Even without realising it, adult drivers and especially parents, are the young driver’s first instructors.
Getting started - Helping out
Some 17 year olds cannot wait to have their first lesson. Others might not want to learn to drive immediately. If they have sent off for a provisional licence, sorted out a driving school and can be seen reading a copy of the Highway Code, then you can probably assume that they are keen to get started.
It is a good idea to give them responsibility for doing the groundwork. Try talking together about choosing an instructor. Both of you should ask around for recommendations. Some useful issues might include:
· Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) qualification; some instructors are not fully qualified. Remember you get what you pay for; a £10 lesson might seem good value at the time.
· Length and frequency of lessons.
· keeping a record of progress in a log book.
· The instructor is happy to give you some suggestions for extra driving practice.
· And of course - cost!
Learner drivers are rarely involved in a road crash because they are supervised and driving by the book.
There is no set number of lessons needed for passing the driving test - every driver is different. It is also common for learner drivers not to pass the first time around. The instructor should know the right time for a learner driver to apply for the test. Pressure to take the test too soon will only make a learner driver feel stressed.
All learner drivers will benefit from extra practice. This is a good way for parents to help by taking them out in the family car. Talk to the instructor about when you can start and what particular extra practice they need. It should be a linked learning process, not two separate activities that will just end up confusing the learner driver. Remember - your own car may be very different from the driving instructor's car and may take some time to get used to. Also remember that only driving school cars have dual controls! Any accompanying driver must be at least 21 years old and have held a full driving licence for at least three years. Check also that you are insured to drive the vehicle on the owner's insurance.
The driving test has changed a lot within the last 10 years, so it might help you to read up on what they have to do. At least you will know what is involved and be in a better position to help them when they ask.
Ground rules :
In a recent survey of young drivers, most said they would like ground rules to be developed with their parents. Here are some ideas for negotiating a safer driving agreement with your son or daughter. Some of the issues are not just about driving but involve general personal safety.
Ideas for negotiation:
· Do they really need to use the car? Consider what other transport options are available and whether driving is the best option.
· Young drivers in Scunthorpe have more crashes late at night; maybe driving is inappropriate.
· Agree that they should let you know where they are going and who they will be with - friends can influence their safety.
· Agree a limit on the number of passengers - especially when they are newly qualified.
· Agree they will let you know if they are going to be later than expected.
Get a commitment that:
· Seat belts will be worn by everyone in the car;
· Mobile phones will not be used when driving;
· Traffic laws, speed limits and parking restrictions will be followed;
· Alcohol or drugs and driving will not be mixed;
· A designated (non-drinking) driver will be agreed before going out with friends.
Your responsibility is to sign up to the safer driving agreement yourself - because you never stop being a role model and it is difficult for a new driver to follow a 'do as I say, not as I do' rule.
Together we can make the roads of Scunthorpe safer for our children.
Web sites to visit:
http://www.opac.northlincs.gov.uk
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/PracticalTest/index.htm
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Motoringtransactions/BeforeyouapplyA/DG_10032690
When they first pass their test, young drivers don't have the experience, driving skills or judgement skills of more practiced driver, subsequently;
· More young men are being convicted of causing death or bodily harm on UK roads than ever before, with those aged 17-20 responsible for more than a quarter of offences. Over 60 times more young men than young women were convicted of the UK’s most serious offences in 2005 – causing death or bodily harm and dangerous driving. Male drivers aged 17-20 were responsible for 1,993 of the 6,177 total convictions representing nearly a third of such convictions – despite representing only around 3% of the UK driving population.
· More accidents involve 18 year olds than any other single age group.
· Driving too fast for the conditions is a factor in a quarter of all young driver accidents.
Your responsibility
Long before they are legally allowed to get behind the wheel, young drivers will be picking up driving habits from adult drivers. Some of these habits might be very positive - habits like wearing seat belts, switching the mobile phone off and spotting hazards in good time. They may also pick up less positive driving habits, such as inappropriate speed and inconsiderate and aggressive driving; habits that might put their lives at risk.
Even without realising it, adult drivers and especially parents, are the young driver’s first instructors.
Getting started - Helping out
Some 17 year olds cannot wait to have their first lesson. Others might not want to learn to drive immediately. If they have sent off for a provisional licence, sorted out a driving school and can be seen reading a copy of the Highway Code, then you can probably assume that they are keen to get started.
It is a good idea to give them responsibility for doing the groundwork. Try talking together about choosing an instructor. Both of you should ask around for recommendations. Some useful issues might include:
· Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) qualification; some instructors are not fully qualified. Remember you get what you pay for; a £10 lesson might seem good value at the time.
· Length and frequency of lessons.
· keeping a record of progress in a log book.
· The instructor is happy to give you some suggestions for extra driving practice.
· And of course - cost!
Learner drivers are rarely involved in a road crash because they are supervised and driving by the book.
There is no set number of lessons needed for passing the driving test - every driver is different. It is also common for learner drivers not to pass the first time around. The instructor should know the right time for a learner driver to apply for the test. Pressure to take the test too soon will only make a learner driver feel stressed.
All learner drivers will benefit from extra practice. This is a good way for parents to help by taking them out in the family car. Talk to the instructor about when you can start and what particular extra practice they need. It should be a linked learning process, not two separate activities that will just end up confusing the learner driver. Remember - your own car may be very different from the driving instructor's car and may take some time to get used to. Also remember that only driving school cars have dual controls! Any accompanying driver must be at least 21 years old and have held a full driving licence for at least three years. Check also that you are insured to drive the vehicle on the owner's insurance.
The driving test has changed a lot within the last 10 years, so it might help you to read up on what they have to do. At least you will know what is involved and be in a better position to help them when they ask.
Ground rules :
In a recent survey of young drivers, most said they would like ground rules to be developed with their parents. Here are some ideas for negotiating a safer driving agreement with your son or daughter. Some of the issues are not just about driving but involve general personal safety.
Ideas for negotiation:
· Do they really need to use the car? Consider what other transport options are available and whether driving is the best option.
· Young drivers in Scunthorpe have more crashes late at night; maybe driving is inappropriate.
· Agree that they should let you know where they are going and who they will be with - friends can influence their safety.
· Agree a limit on the number of passengers - especially when they are newly qualified.
· Agree they will let you know if they are going to be later than expected.
Get a commitment that:
· Seat belts will be worn by everyone in the car;
· Mobile phones will not be used when driving;
· Traffic laws, speed limits and parking restrictions will be followed;
· Alcohol or drugs and driving will not be mixed;
· A designated (non-drinking) driver will be agreed before going out with friends.
Your responsibility is to sign up to the safer driving agreement yourself - because you never stop being a role model and it is difficult for a new driver to follow a 'do as I say, not as I do' rule.
Together we can make the roads of Scunthorpe safer for our children.
Web sites to visit:
http://www.opac.northlincs.gov.uk
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/PracticalTest/index.htm
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Motoringtransactions/BeforeyouapplyA/DG_10032690
Barry's School of motoring, first choice for driving lessons Scunthorpe, driving tuition Scunthorpe, intensive driving Scunthorpe, intensive driving courses Scunthorpe, driving school Scunthorpe, driving instructor Scunthorpe.
