Did you know that motor vehicle crashes are the leading
cause of death among teens? Consider that before you hand over the keys
to your teenage driver. Understanding the ground rules and exercising
caution may prevent speeding tickets, fender-benders, and high insurance
premiums, and more importantly, save lives. Here are five important driving
tips that every teen should know.
Drive defensively
Teenage drivers are inexperienced, and many take unnecessary risks on the road.
That's a dangerous combination. Tell your teen that skillful drivers anticipate
what others will do and keep their emotions in check. Teach your teen to:
- Use directional signals for both turns and lane changes.
- Change lanes only when necessary (don't weave in
and out of traffic).
- Avoid tailgating other drivers.
- Check his or her ego at the door. It's not a personal
affront if someone passes or follows too closely.
- Slow down at yellow lights.
- Proceed cautiously through green lights. Look left,
right, and ahead for drivers who may be turning or running a red light.
- Give a wide berth to aggressive or erratic drivers.
- Carefully watch weather conditions and slow down
in bad weather and at night.
Limit distractions
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 25
percent of crashes happen because drivers are distracted. Putting in a tape
or CD, changing radio stations, or even talking to friends can take your
teen's attention off the road. Teach your teen to pull over before placing
(or receiving) a call, even if their cell phone has a hands-free option.
And set a limit on the number of passengers your child can have in his or
her car.
Buckle up for safety
Stress the importance of wearing a seat belt and set a good example yourself.
Most state laws require everyone age four years and older to be properly
secured in safety belts. Teens who don't wear seat belts put their lives
at risk. They should also learn to wear their seat belts properly. The lap
belt should fit snugly across the pelvis, and the shoulder belt should lie
across the chest with little slack. And don't start driving until are passengers
have buckled up as well.
Don't drink and drive
While you shouldn't condone teen drinking, you can't completely ignore it either.
You should openly discuss the serious consequences of drinking and driving
with your teen. Teach your teen to avoid riding with friends who have been
drinking, You may want to tell your teen that you'll give them a ride home
anytime without consequences if the alternative is to ride with a friend
who has been drinking. You should also discuss the consequences of getting
behind the wheel even after one or two drinks. Even if your teen is pulled
over without first causing an accident, a drunken driving conviction can
mean license suspension, probation or jail time, high insurance premiums,
and thousands of dollars worth of fines.
Obey the speed limit
Many drivers ignore posted speed limits, and the consequences can be deadly.
According to the NHTSA, the odds of dying or being injured in a crash double
for every 10 mph a driver speeds over 50 mph. In addition, a speeding ticket
can cost hundreds of dollars in fines and even result in license suspension.
Even a minor accident can increase auto insurance premiums dramatically for
years to come. So teach your teen to obey the speed limit, even if other
drivers are going faster. |
