Teen Driving Safety Tips

Teen Driving Safety Tips

According to National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, in 2007, more than 4,200 teens in the United States aged 15 - 19 were killed and almost 400,000 were treated in emergency departments for injuries suffered in motor-vehicle crashes. Teen driving safety is a very serious issue for teens, parents as well as the rest of us who share the road with them. Males have the highest risk in being involved in a traffic fatality as are those who have just received their license. If you’re a teenager or the parent of one, here are some teen driving safety tips:

1. Enroll in a Teen Driving Safety Program – In addition to the drivers’ training program that many school districts offer, you can enroll in an additional teen driving safety program that can help teens get a leg up before they hit the road. A more experienced driver will be a much safer driver and a teen driving safety program can provide teens with that extra on-the-road instruction and teen driving tips that can make all the difference.

2. Be Educated About the Dangers of Drugs and Alcohol – It cannot be said enough just how teens, alcohol and a moving vehicle do not mix. In 2005, 23% of drivers ages 15 to 20 who died in motor vehicle crashes had a BAC of 0.08 g/dl or higher. Before any teen hits the road, they should sign a teen driving contract with their parents stating they will never drive after drinking any alcohol or drive with anyone under the influence. The more teens are educated on the dangers of drugs and alcohol and driving, the less likely they will be to do so.

3. Create a Routine Safety Inspection – Teen driving safety doesn’t just revolve around the act of driving, but making sure the car is in proper working order. Many adults overlook the positive habits that they had to create in order to ensure that their car was always in good working order. Teenage driving safety demands that a vehicle inspection is done every time he or she gets behind the wheel. Teens should be trained how to check oil, water and gas levels as well as the tread levels on tires before getting behind the wheel.

4. Practice, Practice, Practice – Much like any other skill, teenage driving safety will improve the more time a teen has behind the wheel. A great way for teens to improve their teenage driving safety is to take them to a large parking lot and give them plenty of time to drive around, practice stopping at stop signs, parking and driving in the open area. The more time a teen has behind the wheel they better they will perform on the road. Also, for parents, if you think your teen hasn’t had enough practice after they pass their driver’s test, don’t hesitate to give them more time before they start driving on the public streets. Teenage driving safety is all about practice, practice, practice.

5. Talk as You Drive – Teenage driving safety is based on teens making good decisions. Parents can help by talking their way through a typical day in traffic. Parents can explain the thought process that goes with driving. Explain upcoming problems you see happening down the road, why you’ve decided to make a lane change and when you decide to apply the brake or gas. This can be a great way for an experienced adult driver to give teen driving tips by including them into their daily routine.

6. Lean to Keep an Emotional Balance – Teen driving safety tips rarely go into the emotional state of driving, but keeping your head on your shoulders and your eyes on the road can keep teens safe on the road. Teenagers are already more emotional than most adults and life behind the wheel can be an emotionally charged experience at times. Teens should learn how to stay relaxed while driving and how not to get riled up by other motorists.

7. Put the Cell Phone Away – Recently, teen driving safety has been affected by the advent of the cell phone. Teens love to talk on the phone and text, but this can be a very dangerous combo behind the wheel. Cell phones can be very distracting and in some states, it’s not just a teenage driving safety tip to put your cell phone away; it’s the law.

8. Beware of Distractions – Teens can be easily distracted and one of the major ways to promote teen driving safety is to remove the distractions in the car. The radio, cell phones, iPods, food and in-car television sets can be major distractions to a teen driver and interfere with their teen driving safety. Take a survey of your car and check to see which things will interfere with teenage driving safety.

9. Sign a Teen Driving Contract – A teen driving contract can be a great way for parents to dictate – in writing – what is expected of their teen on the road. A teen driving contract can help teens keep their promises to not drink and drive, ride in a car with another teen who has been drinking, perform a routine safety inspection, be home with the car at a certain time, or whatever agreements are made between parent and teen. A teen driver contract can also spell out potential punishments (like taking away their keys) that will occur if a teen violates their teen driving contract.