Parenting a teen has its moments, but one that may be tense for most parents is ensuring that they’ve done their best to ensure their teens are safe while they drive. Have a look at the five ways below in which you can make sure that your teen stays safe whenever they’re out on the road.

1. Get Them a Safe Car

The very first thing you need to do is to get a safe car for your teen. This should ideally be one that’s not too big and not too fast, as these are both features that can make it harder for a teen to control the car. Spend time shopping for one online and prioritize those that have a good safety rating, especially among fellow parents. According to a new survey by IHS Automotive, the typical car on the road in America is a record-high 11.5 years old. Keep this in mind when buying a second-hand car and perform all the necessary checks to ensure that it’s in a good state and won’t put your teen at unnecessary risk.

2. Show Them How To Drive Safely in Extreme Weather

While you should advise your teens to stay off the roads in extreme weather, it may not always be possible for them to do so as they could get caught out in a storm. Bearing this in mind, take time to teach them how to drive safely in harsh weather. From how to brake, accelerate, and steer, it’s important to ensure that they have this knowledge whenever they go on a drive. Let them know that the speed at which they drive also plays a major role in their safety while they drive in all kinds of weather, and it’s best to be slow but sure.

3. Teach Them the Basics of Car Maintenance

A well-maintained car will invariably be safer than one that’s not as well-maintained, so teach your teen how to do basic maintenance. Also, show them how to check if their car is up for maintenance so they never go for too long without doing it. Ensure that they know how to change their windshield wiper blades as well as the tires and these are skills that they will carry with them for a long time to come. It’s important to know the signs and time periods for changing specific parts of the car’s body, such as the two to three years that one is recommended to have its wheels aligned.

4. Have Them Buckle up Every Time

The importance of the safety belt can never be overstated, so remind them to buckle up every time they get into their car, even before they start it. Have them enforce this rule for any passengers that they may carry because wearing the safety belt can make a big difference when an accident occurs. To this end, ensure that their car’s safety belts are always in good shape, and you will be setting them up for a safe drive.

5. Ensure They Understand How Insurance Works

Finally, in case of an accident, it’s important for your teen to know the road rules as well as how insurance works. Share with them facts such as that the coverage for physical damage, for instance, depends on the car’s value. This is determined by insurers in two ways, namely, stated amount and actual cash value. Such information may help them stay prepared on how to respond and react after an accident occurs.

These five tips can help you improve your teen’s safety on the road. To get the very best results, it’s good to lead by example, as your teens will be likely to respond better to what they see you doing rather than just what you tell them to do.