My teen forgets to turn off car-- what to do

[HeavyFuel]

I'm having a hard time believing that you don't know the answer to this question.  Maybe you can't face the obvious facts or you just need to vent to someone.

Your son isn't ready for the responsibility of driving.  He can't remember a simple basic fundamental like turning off the piece of equipment being operated?  Wow.

Please keep him off the road so he doesn't injure or kill someone or himself.

[myk]

How old is he? Just let him be.  He'll either grow up or face the consequences of his actions/inactions...

[A383Wing]

Driving a vehicle is a responsibility, not a right...obviously he's not responsible enough to handle this gift to him...take it away until he's old and mature enough to handle it in the proper manner

[myk]

Or that...

[crj1968]

I'm having a hard time believing that you don't know the answer to this question.  Maybe you can't face the obvious facts or you just need to vent to someone.

Your son isn't ready for the responsibility of driving.  He can't remember a simple basic fundamental like turning off the piece of equipment being operated?  Wow.

Please keep him off the road so he doesn't injure or kill someone or himself.

I think if you read what Ive written I've stated exactly the facts I'm facing....and what the decision has been.   

[crj1968]

         
How does he come home & get into a locked house without his keys?

We come through the garage.

[stripedelete]

I'm having a hard time believing that you don't know the answer to this question.  Maybe you can't face the obvious facts or you just need to vent to someone.

Your son isn't ready for the responsibility of driving.  He can't remember a simple basic fundamental like turning off the piece of equipment being operated?  Wow.

Please keep him off the road so he doesn't injure or kill someone or himself.

I think if you read what Ive written I've stated exactly the facts I'm facing....and what the decision has been.    :shruggy

Read it all.  Whats the decision?

[b5blue]

  This works...you guys go for training drives on a regular basis. Every time he starts to get out of the car with it running punch his arm. The tactile contact will embed the correction. (Like pet training.)
  A friend and I traded stick shift cars, he got my 4 speed and I got his 3 speed floor shift. As we coached each other on driving each others cars he'd punch my arm every time I put the car in reverse at a stop light.     Each error increased the punch I got, it only took a short while. It was his dad's trick when he learned stick.  Teach him never to start the car unless buckled and never to unbuckle with the car running. That way is safest for operation and the law, it also embeds a reminder that gives you a second to punch him.    I'm sure he's just  a bit overwhelmed with everything and part of him just wants to stop the experience as he's use to just getting out when the car stops. 

[440]

I'd say once he gets his full license he's not allowed to park in the garage and then leave him to his own devices. Make him understand he's accountable for whatever consequences result, and don't bail him out. He'll eventually learn.

[crj1968]

I'm having a hard time believing that you don't know the answer to this question.  Maybe you can't face the obvious facts or you just need to vent to someone.

Your son isn't ready for the responsibility of driving.  He can't remember a simple basic fundamental like turning off the piece of equipment being operated?  Wow.


Please keep him off the road so he doesn't injure or kill someone or himself.

I think if you read what Ive written I've stated exactly the facts I'm facing....and what the decision has been.    :shruggy

Read it all.  Whats the decision?

Post 11. That we just arent going to allow him to get his license yet.

I guess the post has two things involved; one the responsibility issue, the other some sort of device that most new cars have built in that could be used. Not just for my kid but anyone, as this issue isnt that uncommon, and its not just kids. I was thinking last night about people who forget kids in cars and stuff like that


Thats a different scenario, where lives could be saved by a tag system. One on a baby's bag or seat and one on key ring.

For the engine running thing...itd be cool to tap in to a signal from when car is in park, to a 5 sec timer, and then blast the horn or an alarm.

[crj1968]

B5 and 440. Both good ideas....and yeah he does want the experience over when driving with his mom. I can relate.

[skip68]

Frickin kids.    
Teaching my son to drive was painful.  He's just not a natural.  He drives Ok now but man, I had the hardest time with him riding the brake pedal and changing lanes.      
My daughter on the other hand is only 13 but told us two days ago she wants a stick shift.    
How many Now days want a stick?  
Good luck and remember to keep your cool.  It's all part of the teaching process.  We're car guys so most of us were probably naturally going to get driving down quickly.  My son was a car guy on PlayStation.    
He'll get it figured out.   

[HeavyFuel]

I'm having a hard time believing that you don't know the answer to this question.  Maybe you can't face the obvious facts or you just need to vent to someone.

Your son isn't ready for the responsibility of driving.  He can't remember a simple basic fundamental like turning off the piece of equipment being operated?  Wow.

Please keep him off the road so he doesn't injure or kill someone or himself.

I think if you read what Ive written I've stated exactly the facts I'm facing....and what the decision has been.   

That's the thing...you aren't facing the facts. 

"Let's see.... (thoughtfully scratch chin while gazing into the distance)      Maybe I can jerry-rig one of those underground electric perimeter fences for dogs into the car.  My kid can wear the collar, and receives a shock when crossing the door sill if the motor is still running.   It's brilliant, I say....BRILLIANT!"

Having two teenage boys that drive, I inquired about the possibility of them walking away from a running car.    The glaring look from them said it all.....that I was fool for even asking.

Sorry to break the news to you, but switching off the engine and taking the keys with you is something 999 out of 1000 beginning drivers master after probably the third lesson.

C'mon, man.   You didn't expect all the responses to be          Some gotta be 

[crj1968]

I've faced the facts. He isn't driving alone until I feel he is ready.

However, reality is; there are alarms and sirens and beeps and blips for leaving your lights on, leaving keys in ignition etc, for a reason. Because people are fallible and forget things. I know I do from time to time.

I appreciate ALL the responses.

[ws23rt]

I've faced the facts. He isn't driving alone until I feel he is ready.

However, reality is; there are alarms and sirens and beeps and blips for leaving your lights on, leaving keys in ignition etc, for a reason. Because people are fallible and forget things. I know I do from time to time.

I appreciate ALL the responses.

I responded to this thread already and my first motivation was that forgetting to turn the car off did not seem trivial.

You mentioned that this habit may have come from his training at drivers ed. If that is true then something is very wrong with the training program. IMO leaving a car running when one gets out is not a safe thing to do for anyone. Just consider the things that need attention to do it.---Put it in park or neutral, set the E brake, not to be done in an enclosed space, Are their toddlers around that want to play in the drivers seat, etc.

Leaving the car running is one thing to forget but the hazards when doing so need attention as well. --- Does he attend to all the other items of hazard after forgetting to turn the car off?
IMO this will pass quickly but that is up to you and it is not something to accept until it does.

[myk]

Lol I did the same thing today; walked away with the car still running...

[XH29N0G]

Just stick with it.  Teaching these kids is a moving and changing target.  My son was for the most part pretty easy to teach.  I start with my daughter in less than two weeks if she passes  the learner's permit test.  I am hoping for the same - well, maybe not exactly - hopefully better, but I am sure there will be tense situations.  

I have a memory burned in of rear ending my dad's charger in the driveway, and looking over to him in the passenger seat.  All he said was 'you might want to back up.'  That was enough.  I learned not to hit my parent's cares.  

OK, sorry for the digression.  The point is that they will learn, or we have to do something.  You are asking for input and I see a plan.  I also think it is important, but mostly in the 'someone will take the car away/or carbon monoxide poisoning might set in/or it is the only responsible thing to do' sort of way.

[crj1968]

Lol I did the same thing today; walked away with the car still running...

   

[crj1968]

I have a memory burned in of rear ending my dad's charger in the driveway, and looking over to him in the passenger seat.  All he said was 'you might want to back up.'  That was enough.  I learned not to hit my parent's cars.

That is funny. I remember two things driving as a "learner."

Once with my mom there was a box in the road, and I was gonna run it over with my mom right next to me. She screamed "There could be a baby in there!"  Lol. I never forgot it and think of it whenever I see a box on the road.

The other with my dad I was driving his truck and just cruising about 45 mph and came up on a busy Denver intersection and just blasted through no looking, no slowing. I mean my light was green. He yelled HOLY SH*T !  And never took me out again. 

My son did great today...no issues and I gave him this advice. When you park, stop, breathe, listen, breathe again... and make sure all is quiet (the radio, the engine, and especially your mind) before you open the door. Seemed to stick.

[myk]

Lol I did the same thing today; walked away with the car still running...

   

What I usually do is forget to take the seat belt off.  This is especially embarrassing when I pull into a cruise, I try to get out and then I'm sucked back into the car lol, and as usual the charger's heavy door always has to slam shut on me...

[1974dodgecharger]

ALL OF YOU BEEN TROLLED 

[myk]

Probably...

[skip68]

What exactly does that mean?  We've all been trolled?   
I thought a troll was a person that floats around a site, makes dumb comments and contributes nothing.   
Crap, that sounds like me.   

[crj1968]

ALL OF YOU BEEN TROLLED 

That's twice this has been said.  I don't get it, I thought a troll was someone who just comes into a thread and plays devil's advocate and try's to piss everyone off.     Oh did you guys know we never really landed on the moon?  

[Baldwinvette77]

Seriously?? Hmmmm chain the key to him, his belt or something, so he can't leave without it