With spring break now officially upon us, parents everywhere are hearing one phrase more than ever from their bored high school and college students: "Can I have the car keys?" A week is a long time to sit at home and catch up on homework, especially when many of their friends are sitting on a beach in Florida, but before you hand over the keys to your 2015 Volvo XC70 and set your child loose in Northfield, be sure that you have a clear conversation about your expectations.
· Make it clear that your child is simply borrowing your vehicle and that his or her ability to do so in the future may be based on his or her treatment of the vehicle. That means that all vehicle settings and equipment should be restored to their original condition by the time you go to buckle in.
· On that note, remind your child that he or she must still wear a seatbelt at all times.
· Let your child know your curfew expectations, especially if he or she is legally required to be home by curfew.
· Make sure your teen driver knows how many passengers he or she is allowed to have in the car, especially if he or she is newer to driving and more likely to be distracted.
· Make sure your child travels with his or her cell phone in the event of an emergency, but repeat to your child that texting while driving is never permissible and always dangerous.
· If your teen is still relatively new to driving, ask him or her to tell you where they are taking the car and how long they expect to be on the road.
At Fields Volvo Northfield, we want to thank you for having an open conversation with your child about the importance of beginning smart driving habits at an early age and establishing a healthy approach to borrowing property.