Parents and caregivers of teenagers getting ready for college worry about a lot of things. Often times, one of those concerns is about how their young adults will handle driving on campus. Driving on a college campus can bring a set of unique challenges, such as driving far from home, paying close attention to students walking on campus, and navigating a new area they may not be familiar with. For those parents and caregivers who are concerned for their teenagers, here are some tips to help make the adjustment easier.
Get an Accident Kit
While packing teens for college, make sure to include an accident kit on the list of things they need. Having these items in their vehicle ensures they are prepared for a variety of emergencies. Auto accident kits should include a first aid kit, flares, a flashlight, jumper cables, batteries, a blanket, pen and paper, bottled water, non-perishable food, emergency contact numbers, disposable camera, and proof of insurance.
Tour the Area
After arriving on campus, take some time to tour the area with the teen. During the trip, make sure to take note of important locations like local grocery stores, all-purpose or department stores, restaurants, gas stations, police stations, and other landmarks. Depending on the area, there may be one-way streets or odd traffic flows that the young driver may need to get used to as well.
Check Local Weather Patterns
Depending on how far from home the teen is going, it is possible for him or her to face changes in weather that may affect his or her driving ability. Do some research on weather patterns for the area, such as amount of snow and ice in the winter season and how much rain the area typically gets. While touring the town, ask locals how the roads fair during the harsher seasons to get a feel for what driving may be like.
Consider Parking
Many college campuses designate parking lots for students, often based on their level in school. More often than not, first year students are designated to park farthest away from campus – depending on the distance and the local transportation options, it may be better for students to leave their vehicles at home. Also, take a look at the parking around town as well – is it primarily parallel parking spots as in a city environment? If that is the case, they may want to brush up on their parking skills.
Think you or someone you know is need of Behind the Wheel Training? Training Wheels is an Egg Harbor City driving school specializing in teaching new teen drivers how to stay safe on the road. For more information on our lessons, please click here.
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