As one of motorsport’s most recognizable figures, retired professional racer Danica Patrick knows a few things about navigating roads safely at any speed. “Safety isn’t just about what happens on the racetrack,” Danica explains. “It’s about creating awareness that starts early and continues later in life. The habits our kids develop today become their instincts in the future.”

Recognizing that parents need to take a proactive approach to raising safety-minded children in a distraction-filled world, Danica has compiled insightful safety tips based on her professional experience. Keep reading to learn what the next generation of road users and their parents need to know.

Danica Patrick’s Commitment to Road Safety

While Danica is best known for her accomplishments on the track, she’s always stressed the importance of road safety regardless of the pavement’s location. During her early years in karting, she quickly realized that successful split-second decision-making requires awareness, preparation, and responsibility — principles that need to be instilled early in children.

Focusing on prevention instead of reaction is critical to Danica’s safety approach. It’s far better to anticipate and respond to a potential problem than attempt to navigate around an issue already in progress. Children are not necessarily born being safety-conscious; they have to learn this trait through modeling and age-specific education. Forming good safety habits early leads to responsible driving later. The stakes couldn’t be higher, so beginning at an earlier age is essential.

Teaching Children Pedestrian Awareness

Basic pedestrian safety education can begin at age two or three. This doesn’t have to be delivered as formal education, but through simple practices like ensuring a child holds an adult’s hand near a roadway or crossing the street. It’s also an ideal time to explain traffic light essentials, like “red means stop” and “green means look carefully both ways and go if it’s safe.”

At the same time, make this training interactive by asking critical questions, such as “What should we do before crossing the street?” (look both ways). Play a “spot the crosswalk” game to help a child identify safe crossing points. Have them point out road signs.

As your child becomes more adept at the fundamentals, move on to next-level activities. The importance of making eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of their vehicles. She adds that assuming a driver is aware of you can be a most dangerous belief.

Depending on when children become involved with electronics, explain the dangers of crossing a street while looking at phones or wearing headphones. Not long after, they’ll better understand what pedestrians should and shouldn’t be doing, an essential skill for when they’re behind the wheel.

Setting an Example with Safe Driving Habits

Parents know that children have a knack for absorbing others’ habits, good and bad. The same applies to driving behavior and child road safety, even years before a learner’s permit enters the picture. Youngsters will readily notice if you’re using your seatbelt, checking mirrors, driving haphazardly, obeying traffic rules, or becoming frustrated.

Safe driving should be modeled every time parents and children are in the car together. Narrating safe driving activities as you set a good example can reinforce this practice.

For instance, you could say, “I’m slowing down because we’re entering a school zone,” or “I’ve stopped at the intersection because the school bus is letting off children who may cross the street.”

Other running commentary can include “I’ve put my phone down so I can focus on driving,” “I’ve slowed down so I can pass the cyclists safely,” and “I’m stopping to let those people walk across the street.” The brief interactions explain the reason for different safety practices.

You can also make a game out of speed limits. Ask the child to call out what’s on each speed sign and then explain why speed limits are essential. As the caregiver of older kids, you can also explain how a speed sign differs from other numbered signs with route numbers. This is also a good time to take advantage of driving during challenging road conditions or weather conditions. Explain how your driving changes during rain, snow, or heavy oncoming traffic to maximize safety for those inside and outside the car. This way, children will quickly learn that good driving involves adapting to each situation.

Road Safety Lessons by Age Group

Teaching road safety varies according to a child’s stage of development:

Toddlers and Preschoolers: Age 2–5

Basic concepts:

• Danger of moving vehicles
• Staying on sidewalks
• Observing traffic signals
• Relying on adult guidance

Try: Making songs or rhymes to help memorization…”Cross at the green, not in between.”

Elementary-Aged Children: Ages 6–10

Intermediate concepts:

• Judging vehicle speed and distance
• Learning pedestrian crossing signals
• Identifying safe routes

Try: Take neighborhood safety walks that gradually allow “guided” independence and opportunities to observe decision-making.

Tweens: Ages 11–13

Advanced concepts:

• Understanding vehicle physics (braking, acceleration, G-forces)
• Learning the impact of weather on driving

Try: In a safe setting (like an empty parking lot), perform an in-vehicle demonstration of sudden braking, sharp cornering, and rapid acceleration, and explain how these maneuvers affect safety.

Teenagers (pre-driving teens to learner’s permit age): Ages 14–17

Adult-level discussions: Frank conversations about driving privileges, risks, graduated responsibilities, and consequences.

Try: Take advantage of driving simulator programs and, for teens with learning permits, practice driving in low-risk settings (such as an empty parking lot) to learn fundamental driving skills before moving to a public street.

Talking to Teens About Distracted Driving

Like it or not, we live in a world where multitasking is the norm, but this is the last thing that should happen behind the wheel. Parents should have an open and upfront conversation with teenage drivers about the dangers of distractions and create a family driving agreement before anyone gets a learner’s permit.

This contract should set clear expectations about cell phone use, passenger limits, driving distances, curfews, check-in requirements, and safe driving practices overall. Borrow a page from the racing world by presenting the agreement as teen driver protocols rather than restrictions. Professional racers have to agree to a set of safety procedures before venturing onto a track.

Parents have responsibilities, too. No calling, texting, or using apps when they know their teens are driving. In addition, teen drivers should be encouraged to seek help from a parent at any time and for any reason.

How Endurance Plans Support Family Safety and Confidence

A crucial aspect of road safety that often gets overlooked is vehicle reliability. Danica Patrick reminds car owners that a breakdown can put any driver in a vulnerable situation, especially someone with less experience. Car troubles are an inconvenience and can lead to dangerous conditions, especially on the side of the road. And some families may choose to delay repairs due to budget concerns, potentially compromising safety.

However, the predictable cost of an auto protection plan can ease financial worries and provide valuable safeguards. Endurance offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, low monthly rates, and a range of benefits. Each Endurance vehicle service contract includes 24/7 roadside assistance, which offers critical services like towing, lockout assistance, fuel delivery, and jump starts. It also provides peace of mind by providing professional help during a challenging time.

Endurance Warranty Offers Confidence for Drivers of All Ages

New drivers have enough to worry about. An Endurance Warranty plan can help eliminate concerns like breakdowns and surprise repair bills. Choose from essential powertrain protection that covers the engine and transmission, or Supreme coverage with only a few exclusions. There are in-between options, too. In addition to roadside assistance, every Endurance plan includes rental car reimbursement, trip interruption protection, and the freedom to choose any licensed facility for covered repairs.

Request a FREE email quote or visit the Endurance online store for instant plan and pricing information. Contact a plan advisor at (800) 253-8203 for personalized assistance.

Meanwhile, explore the Endurance blog for articles every car owner should read. This resource covers DIY repairs, ownership advice, FAQs, warranty insights, and more.