Keen teens are pressuring parents to hit the road for driving lessons that could do more harm than good, new research reveals today.
Keen teens are pressuring parents to hit the road for driving lessons that could do more harm than good, new research reveals today.
The research reveals that almost half (46%) of parents are pressured for lessons by teenagers and are often unable to refuse. Parents’ lack of confidence and poor knowledge puts relationships under strain and can seriously impair learner drivers’ development.
More than a third (38%) of parents admitted that they’d done no preparation for teaching their children to drive despite the fact that the average parent surveyed had last taken their test in 1978.
BSM’s "Reluctant Instructor" study - an in-depth piece of research amongst 1,000 parent and learner drivers - reveals that poorly planned and unstructured lessons often end in disaster:
- A third (33%) of learners have had to swap places with their parents as a result of the tense atmosphere
- More than a quarter (26%) of parents have had to grab the car controls from their child
- More than one in five (22%) learners have had to pull over to the side of the road in order to avoid a dangerous situation.
The stress of learning to drive also takes its toll on home life. One-third (33%) of parents have lost their cool, and arguments carry over from driving lessons in another third (33%) of cases. The intense pressure can even cause long term disruption, with one in 20 (6%) learners feeling their relationship with their parents had worsened as a result.
Dr Aric Sigman, leading psychologist and counsellor explains: "Teaching children to drive is one of the most challenging experiences of being a parent. Letting a teenager take control of the wheel can be an uncomfortable role reversal and requires an unprecedented level of trust. However, working towards a shared goal in this way is a very positive exercise for parents and children."
Bad habits
The study reveals that parents’ poor preparation can also prove detrimental to learners’ driving ability. Almost a third (30%) admit they make more mistakes when out with their parents than with their instructors.
Mixed messages also cause problems for learners, with three-quarters (75%) stating that the advice of instructors and their parents contradicts one another. One-third of parents (33%) expressed concern about passing on bad habits to their children.
The research suggests that parents must do more to familiarise themselves with the requirements of the modern driving test. In the last 10 years, the driving test has changed considerably to include a theory test, a hazard perception test and vehicle maintenance questions. Three-quarters (76%) of parents have not kept up-to-date with such developments and this can prove to be a serious disadvantage.
Commenting on the findings, BSM road safety consultant Robin Cummins said: “As a father, I know first hand how difficult and frustrating teaching teenagers can be. However, parents can play an invaluable role . A carefully balanced mix of professional training and responsibly managed private practice can significantly improve the chances of passing the practical driving test, and help the learner to progress to becoming a responsible driver.”
BSM has teamed up with Aric Sigman to produce some simple, practical tips to help parents prepare to teach their child to drive:
- Avoid a conflict of roles. Remember you are a parent first and foremost and your child's coach or teacher second. While you can help your child to improve their driving, this is different from the conditional approval and disapproval of an instructor who isn't their parent
- Frame of mind - make sure neither of you are irritable or fraught before the driving session. This isn't only unsafe but could strain your relationship. Choose a good moment and try to relax and be calm before you start
- Safety first - explain that you may have to act in a sudden, decisive ... even bossy manner, to prevent an accident. This does not mean that you are angry, irritated or disapproving of your child, it's merely a necessary attitude to overseeing your child's driving
- De-brief - Talk about the driving session you just had together and listen to your child's concerns. Offer constructive criticism and reassurance
- Praise - learning to drive is more than a mere motoring issue for your child, it relates to their confidence and self-esteem. because you are their parent they need a sense of achievement and your approval and praise - so give it wherever possible.
To help parents prepare for driving lessons, BSM has produced a step-by-step guide to teaching learner drivers. Practice Sessions is available to buy from www.bsm.co.uk or bookshops for Ł5.99.
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BSM/RAC Press office contact:
Amanda Glover or Sonia Clarke or at Lexis PR on 0207 908 6462 or 0207 908 6570
Lucy Haughey or Adam Cracknell at RAC Press Office on 01603 354337 or 01603 684916
e-mail lucy.haughey@norwich-union.co.uk or adam.cracknell@norwich-union.co.uk
Notes to editors:
BSM commissioned YouGov spoke to conduct research amongst 1068 parents and learner drivers online between 26 July and 1 August 2006.
About BSM
Founded in 1910, BSM is the UK’s most experienced national driving school. Each year it teaches over 170,000 learners how to drive. It has over 100 BSM centres and 3,000 BSM instructors across the UK.
While BSM is best known for teaching learner drivers, it is also one of the largest providers of training for driving instructors. It is a founding member of ORDIT (Official Register of Driving Instructor Training) and plays an active role in lobbying the government on road safety and learner driver related issues.
About RAC
With around seven million members, RAC is one of the UK's most progressive motoring organisations, providing services for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, windscreen repair and replacement, learning to drive, vehicle inspections and checks, legal and financial services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information - RAC is able to meet motorists’ needs. RAC incorporates BSM, RAC Auto Windscreens, RAC Direct Insurance and HPI.
Aviva bought RAC in May 2005. The acquisition brings together RAC's powerful brand and customer base with the expertise and leading position in motor insurance of Norwich Union Insurance (part of Aviva). Norwich Union is the UK's largest insurer, insuring one in seven motor vehicles and with a market share of around 14%.
Visit the media centre at www.racnews.co.uk for more information.