Throughout the years, you’ve had the joy of witnessing the development of your children.

Their first steps, their first day of school, their first recital, their first school dance—you’ve been there through it all. And now you’re faced with an exciting yet worrisome milestone: learning how to drive. Here are some essential safety tips that both you and your new teen driver can use to navigate the road with confidence and caution.

Emphasize the cardinal rule of fastening your seat belt

It has been shown that wearing a seat belt can cut the risk of injuries and fatalities in a car accident by almost half. Instruct your adolescent to always fasten their seat belt anytime they are in a vehicle, and impress upon them the importance of doing so.

Set a positive example to follow

Watching their parents is the most common way for teenagers to learn good driving habits. Make an effort to maintain consistency between the messages you’re imparting and the manner in which you drive. This means it’s crucial for you to refrain from speeding, comply with the regulations of the road, avoid driving while distracted, never drink and drive, temper any road rage, and, of course, fasten your seat belt.

Practice driving with them

It is estimated that it takes forty-five hours of training and twenty hours of practice for someone to become a proficient driver. And that number may be higher for teenagers. In fact, due to their inexperience, most states have strict requirements for driving hours (as high as sixty-five for some) and/or duration (as high as twelve months) in order for teens to obtain a license. Therefore, once your child gets their permit, travel with them behind the wheel as much as you can. You should try practicing with your teen driver at various times of the day, in a variety of weather conditions, and in different types of traffic. Provide consistent feedback on what they’re doing well and how they can improve their driving skills to encourage their development.

Provide guidelines for driving

Before your teen gets their license, sit down with them and have a conversation about the rules of the road and the consequences of breaking them. For instance, several states have instituted graduated driver licensing laws (GDL) regarding nighttime driving and passenger limitations for teen drivers. Driving in the dark can be more challenging than daytime driving, particularly for drivers with less experience. According to studies, the likelihood of a kid being involved in an automobile accident during the night is up to four times higher than it is during the day. Take care to investigate the specific restrictions in your state to make sure your teen is well-informed.

Additionally, consider imposing your own restrictions to help further protect their safety. Teenagers are prone to being quickly distracted, so it might be wise to prohibit any cell phone usage while driving—there should be settings in their phone to be able to do this.

Have a conversation with your adolescent about the rules of the road and the consequences that come with breaking them. You could think about drafting a parent-teen driving agreement that outlines your expectations and boundaries in writing in a clear and concise manner.

Want to have your teen read up on some tips to keep in mind? Here is a checklist you can pass along so they can practice safe driving:

• Fasten your seat belt! Not only will you hear it from your driving instructors, but you will also hear it from your parents, family, and friends. It is possible to significantly reduce the risk of injury and death in the event of a car accident simply by wearing your seat belt. Before you start the car, check to see that you and all your passengers are securely fastened in their seats.
• Get yourself acquainted. It is important that you spend some time getting familiar with every car you drive. Be sure that you know the locations of the main elements, such as turn signals, warning lights, windshield wipers, and adjustment buttons for the side mirrors.
• Make a plan in advance. Before you depart, you should always be aware of where you are going and how to get there; if you aren’t sure of the latter, make sure to have directions with you. You may also want to aim to depart earlier to give yourself extra time to get there, and pay attention to the weather conditions that are or will be in effect so you can factor it into your driving time and take any necessary precautions.
• Keep distractions at bay. Always keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. Each and every activity that diverts your attention from driving in a safe manner is considered a distraction. Some examples include texting, applying makeup, talking on the cell phone (including hands-free), looking at navigation systems, eating, and even having the music turned up too loud.
• Avoid driving while you are sleepy, angry, or agitated. Each year, drowsy driving accounts for about 328,000 crashes, according to the AAA Foundation. Don’t put yourself and others in danger by getting behind the wheel when your energy or emotions aren’t line.
• Don’t drive under the influence. It is illegal to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Not only that, but your reaction time might be slowed down by alcohol and drugs, which can significantly damage your proficiency behind the wheel.
• Observe the regulations of the road. It is imperative that you adhere to the speed limit; you may have less time to respond to vehicles or road barriers that may be nearby if you are traveling at an excessively high speed. And make sure you don’t forget to utilize your turn signals since this will assist other drivers in understanding what you are doing.
• Be sure to keep your seat belt fastened, and remain safe!