Driving can be challenging regardless of your experience behind the wheel. This is something that teenage drivers seem to forget once they start learning the basics.
Use eTags© to Quickly Complete Your DMV Service. Renewals, Title Transfers and More, All Online!
If you are worried about the safety of your teen while on the road, wouldn’t it make more sense to discuss key points about driving that cannot be ignored?
Here is our list of safe driving tips for teenage drivers. This guide will help teenagers learn the necessary steps they need to take to be always safe.
Consider printing it and keeping it in the front seat!
1. Have your license handy.
Know where your license is and have it accessible at all times.
If a police officer stops you for any reason, even for something that you cannot control, such as someone else hitting your car), you will need to have your license handy.
One easy rule of thumb: Keep your wallet, purse, or bag in the same spot whenever you drive, and always carry your license with you.
Digging around for your license while an officer is standing at your window is not advisable at all.
2. Check your gauges.
Do you have enough gas? How is the oil pressure? Is your speedometer working?
Make a habit of checking out your car before driving anywhere. If any of the gauges are not where they should be, let your parent, mentor, or car mechanic know about it as soon as possible.
And if you need to get gas, look for gas stations nearby. Remember that your car needs to have enough fuel so you don’t have to be worried about it while driving on a busy road.
3. Check your mirrors.
Before backing out of the driveway or parking spot, double-check that your mirrors are well-positioned so you can easily check what’s going behind you.
Don’t wait until you are on the road to make adjustments as you’ll be removing your eyes from the road, which is dangerous.
4. Put on your seatbelt.
Plenty has been written and communicated about the necessity of wearing a seatbelt.
Don’t think you are exempt or above the norms. Many people paid the severe consequences of not buckling up already.
Wear your seatbelt and insist that people in your car wear their seatbelts as well.
5. Lock your doors.
It’s a good practice to keep your doors locked while driving.
While it isn’t a common problem, there have been incidents where people have tried to enter a vehicle that is stopped at a light or stop sign. So keep the doors locked at all times.
6. Obey the speed limit.
Even if you’re late, bored, annoyed, or impatient, follow the speed limit. Speeding is a silly reason to get a ticket or–worse get in an accident.
7. Pay attention to road signs.
One of the most dangerous places to drive is in an area of construction.
The speed limit can drop significantly, and workers are often walking in or alongside the road. For that reason, check the road signs as they also offer some information on road/traffic updates.
8. Limit engagement with passengers.
Make sure that you only travel with the number of passengers your car can legally carry. Every passenger in your vehicle should be wearing a seatbelt.
Don’t involve yourself in conversations or arguments that will distract you from driving.
A passenger who is persuading you to drive recklessly is not a good friend. Safety always comes first.
9. Turn down the music or radio.
Anything that distracts you is a threat to your safety. If you can drive with the music or radio playing quietly, fine.
If you can’t listen to the music or radio without feeling like you are on the front row of a live concert, turn it off. It isn’t worth threatening your safety and those with you.
10. Don’t touch your phone.
It’s tempting. We are wired to reach for our phone automatically if a text or call comes through. But the number of car accidents directly related to phone use is astounding.
Your response to the text or call can wait. If you can’t handle avoiding your phone while driving, put it on mute.
Alert your family and friends that you will not be taking calls or texts while driving, and be religious about keeping that rule.
Bottom line: Safety is always, always the most important thing. Drive safely and enjoy your destination!
SEE ALSO: Are Millennials A Real Headache For The Auto Industry?
