8 Driving Safety Tips for Teen and First-Time Drivers
It’s never too early to start thinking about the day you’ll get behind the wheel of a car. In fact, it’s smart to start planning as early as possible — just make sure you’re doing it right.
According to an atlanta personal injury attorney, one of the most common causes of car accidents in Georgia is the loss of vehicle control. A teen driver’s ability to safely handle the steering wheel can be hindered by inexperience, distraction, and other factors.
Teen and First-Time Drivers
Teens who are just learning how to drive often underestimate their own skills and abilities. They may feel anxious or nervous, especially if they’re new drivers in general but also if they’re new drivers in their particular situation.
Teen drivers who feel overwhelmed by driving-related pressures are less likely to drive safely than teens who enjoy driving and look forward to getting behind the wheel.
It’s important for both teens and parents to understand that teens need time to adjust before they can safely drive alone. Some teens may have physical limitations that make them unable to drive safely at first, such as poor vision or shaky hands. Teens should expect some level of adjustment as they learn how much responsibility comes with driving.
Driving Safety Tips
Teens and first-time drivers often don’t think about the safety of their passengers. In fact, they might be more concerned with getting to their destination than with making sure their passengers are safe. But, at this age, teens need to be aware of how quickly distractions can occur.
Here are some driving safety tips for teen drivers and first-time drivers:
Ensure They Have a Driver’s License
A driver’s license is the best way to stay on the road and protect yourself from accidents. It’s also important because it will allow you to take the driver’s education course required by law in your state. When you have this piece of paper, you’ll be able to drive legally (except during school hours) and participate in safe practices like using seat belts, not speeding, or texting while driving.
Encourage Them To Practice Safe Driving Habits
Teach them how to drive safely. Explain how they should handle every situation on the road, including stop signs, red lights, and traffic signals. Teach them how to communicate with other drivers using hand gestures, eye contact, and tone of voice. The best way to prevent accidents is by practicing good habits now so that they become second nature later in life.
To help them develop safe driving habits, encourage them to practice driving in a safe environment. Start with short trips that allow them to get used to their vehicle and obey traffic laws. Then, let them take the wheel without supervision on longer drives.
Never Allow Them to Drink and Drive
One of the biggest mistakes parents make when it comes to driving is allowing teens to drink and drive. It’s easy to let the kids have a few beers at home after a long day at school and then let them go out into traffic, but this is not a good idea. Alcohol impairs judgment and increases the risk of accidents; this is especially true if you’ve been drinking recently (within two hours of driving).
Drinking and driving is illegal in every state and can result in serious consequences for both parents and teens who get caught. If you’re thinking about letting your teenager get behind the wheel after drinking, think twice before you make that mistake.
Make Sure They Are Following Traffic Laws
One of the biggest mistakes that new drivers make is speeding. If your teen speed passes another car, it could be a sign that they are not paying attention or that they don’t know how much speed is too fast for their vehicle.
If you see them driving erratically or doing something illegal, such as running red lights, then immediately pull over and tell them what they did wrong. Make sure that they understand why you were upset and why it’s important to follow traffic laws in your state.
Remember, some states have different traffic and driving laws, so make sure to check out your state’s laws before giving your teen their license.
Teach them to Always Buckle up.
Teaching teens and first-time drivers to buckle up is a great way to keep them safe on the road. But it’s also a great way to save lives. Teach your teens about seat belts and how they work. When you’re driving with your teen, make sure he or she knows what all the buttons do on his or her car (including seat belt buckles) and that they obey them at all times. Make sure he or she knows what to do if an emergency situation arises — such as an accident or being pulled over by law enforcement — so she doesn’t panic and cause harm to herself or others around her.
Educate Them About Weather and Road Conditions.
Teens and first-time drivers need to know the rules of the road, but they also need to be aware of weather conditions. Windy roads can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle, so it’s important to be prepared for any type of driving situation.
Teens should be informed about the weather and road conditions when they’re behind the wheel. They should also be reminded that a car can have trouble in rain, snow, or ice, and that driving safely in these conditions requires more caution and skill than driving on dry pavement. When it comes to speed limits, teens need to know that the limit is lower at night or when visibility is poor. The same goes for bad weather; the posted speed limit may be reduced due to wet roads or poor visibility from snow, sleet, or fog.
It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to driving in bad weather conditions. Make sure you have an emergency kit in your car that includes a flashlight, blankets, water, and snacks just in case something goes wrong on your trip.
Teach Them How to Behave While Driving
Parents should teach their children how to behave at all times while driving. This includes obeying traffic laws and watching out for other drivers on the road as well as pedestrians who may be crossing the street. If a situation arises where someone has run into your car or you’ve been pulled over by police officers, stay calm and follow instructions given by law enforcement officers until they are finished with their investigation or arrest process.
Tell Them The Dire Consequences of Distracted Driving
If you want your teen to develop safe habits, start by telling them the consequences of distracted driving.
Talk about how it can affect everyone around them. Explain that every time they use their phone while driving, they’re putting themselves and other people at risk, including themselves and pedestrians, who may not see them coming until it’s too late.
Explain that using their phone behind the wheel isn’t just illegal; it’s also unsafe. When you talk about why it’s dangerous — especially if your teen is new to driving or doesn’t understand how serious this issue is — you’ll help reinforce their previous lessons about being responsible behind the wheel and make them more likely to listen next time. Remind them that texting or talking on a cell phone while driving is illegal in all 50 States!
Final Thoughts
If you’re a parent, your teen will be getting on the road soon. Getting into a crash is always a possibility, but avoiding one is something you can prepare for. Instead of worrying about a crash after it happens, focus on preventing the risks that come with driving. That way you’ll have peace of mind as your teen gets out on the road.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
