According to a recent study in the UK, new drivers’ attitudes toward speeding and other risky behind-the-wheel behaviors may predict their future driving performance when fully licensed.
(As reported by U.S. News & World Report)
Could this apply to Irvine student drivers? You betcha. The study showed that shaping attitudes toward speed and risk-taking while driving may be just as important – if not more important – than focusing solely on behind-the-wheel skills.
While we are proud of our Irvine and Orange County students’ high DMV pass rates, our primary goal at Safety 1st is to create safe, skilled drivers. That means not only teaching them the skills needed to ace their behind-the-wheel and written exams, but also emphasizing and modeling an attitude of safety and respect for the road.
The UK study found that the longer a person drives, the more risks they take behind-the-wheel. Could this be describing you? How has your driving changed from when you first got your California driver’s license until now?
The study also suggested that the focus on teaching skills needed to pass the driving exam could lead to overconfidence in student and beginner drivers. The moral of the story is, it is important to shape people’s attitudes about speed and other risky behaviors BEFORE they hop in the driver’s seat.
How can we do that? We at Safety 1st are doing our part to teach and model a safe attitude as well as proper skills and techniques to keep our Irvine students safe while navigating Orange County roads. But here are a few things YOU can do to help:
1. Model good driving for your kids. (Grandparents, carpoolers – we’re talking to you too.)
- Always wear your seat belt
- Follow speeding laws (even when you’re running late!)
- Use turn signals
- Do NOT talk or text while driving (unless you have a hands-free device, and that does not include holding your phone while it is on speaker phone)
- Remain calm and show respect for other drivers
2. Model and teach an attitude of safety in general.
If kids are taught to act cautiously and respect rules, laws, and authority in other aspects of life, we believe they are more likely to translate that safe attitude to behind-the-wheel. Discourage reckless behavior in your kids and encourage them to think about their decisions and the potential consequences before they act.
We understand it’s not in every kid’s nature to be cautious – if your kid is a born daredevil, this may be extra challenging for you. But for your child’s safety – and the safety of other Orange County drivers – it is worth taking the time and effort to teach it.
3. Be involved in your student’s driver’s education training.
You can help us at Safety 1st by reinforcing what your student is learning in his or her behind-the-wheel training and practicing it with him or her during the week. With our Specialized Grading System, we keep parents informed of their student’s progress each week, so you will always be in the know. Parents are welcome to ride along, too!
For more information, contact us. We are happy to answer all your questions!