Ask your children for criticism this Christmas

RoadSafe recommends asking children to rate your driving on journeys over the festive period.

“Encouraging children to assess your skill and behaviour behind the wheel may sound like asking for trouble, but it is a good exercise for the family,” says RoadSafe director, Adrian Walsh.

“They may not be old enough to drive but the sooner you get children interested in safe road use and driving the better. By making a game of it, asking them to co-pilot, or guess what road signs mean, you can keep them occupied and pass on your experience without feeling like a bore.”

Getting child passengers to pick up any mistakes will help them learn what driving and safe road use is all about. It will also make parents aware of any bad habits they may have developed.

Typical dangerous habits include:

Driving too close to the vehicle in front
Driving at inappropriate speeds
Forgetting to wear a seatbelt
Rushing observations and failing to use mirrors
Approaching junctions too quickly
Using a mobile phone

If parents drive badly their children will too

Poppy Husband, Evidence Base Researcher from Devon County Council, says, “Young drivers tend to develop their driving attitudes and behaviour from their parents.

“Research shows, if parents take risks it is likely that their children will too. By monitoring their own driving, parents can play a key role in reducing the number of crashes involving young people.”

Road deaths are the biggest killer of children and young people in the UK. Young adults are at particular risk. In 2009, more than ten 17-24 year old drivers were killed every week in crashes on UK roads.

The driving test ensures new drives have practical skills but it cannot guarantee they have the experience that helps more established drivers avoid crashes. This is where parents can have a positive impact, measuring their own abilities and passing on the best advice.

For more information, visit roadsafe.com/parents.