How to Be a Smart Teen Driver
The attitude you adopt toward driving when you are just starting will have a big impact on how well you drive for the rest of your life. Driving sensibly is something to strive for, and having a perfect driving record is something you can be proud of. Plus it will make others trust you and will ensure that you get to keep driving.
How to Be a Smart Teen Driver
Step1
Follow the rules. Your driving record will be with you for a long time. Some violations will be on your record forever.
Step2
Be in charge. In your car, you set the rules of conduct for yourself and your passengers.
Step3
Get more help, if needed. Despite the fact that you have followed the regulations and studied to receive your driver license or permit, there may be gray areas of driving that you are still not confident about.
Step4
Control your emotions. Keeping yourself and your passengers safe and alive is more important than anything else.
Step5
Carry a cell phone for emergencies ONLY. Do not make or take any calls unless the car is stopped. Distractions are the main cause of teen car accidents, ahead of speeding. If you run into car trouble, have an accident or get into a situation that you are not equipped to deal with, a quick call home for a word of advice can be just what you need.
Step6
Forbid drugs or alcohol in your car. If you know your friends use drugs or alcohol, do not allow them to ride with you! It is as simple as that, and it is illegal in all 50 states. Don't let them endanger your record.
Tips & Warnings
Even if you think you are a good driver, it is difficult to drive a car safely if you are drinking soda, eating burgers, talking to rowdy friends, listening to loud music or chatting on a cell phone. Be wise and think twice about doing any of these things.
It shows maturity to admit that you could use more driving lessons.
Don't cave to peer pressure. It's cool that you can drive and that your parents trust you enough to let you. Don't blow that trust by allowing friends to entice you into an activity that may get you into trouble or into an accident.
How to Be a Safe Teen Driver
Over a third of automobile accidents involve teen drivers. Thousands of teens will leave home to go to school or to a party and never return. Do everthing you can to help teens learn to be safer drivers.
Instructions
1 - Take advice from your parents. Teen drivers are encouraged to take the advice of their parents for numerous reasons one being because they have been there. If you are a first time driver and have any questions about the how to's of driving that you may not learn taking the permit or road tests, you are encouraged to ask your parents and listen to what they have to say.
2 - Take driver education or defensive driving courses. The point of these courses is primarily to help teen and young adult drivers better their driving skills, learn the consequences of violating traffic laws and of course to lessen the chance of having an accident. You should ask your parents for information about these driving courses. In some states, there are benefits of enrolling in defensive driving courses including an insurance discount and defensive driving credits on your driving record.
3 - Do not drink and drive. In almost every piece of literature about driver education you will find a clause about drunk driving. There are quite a few reasons why you shouldn't do this including the possibility of an accident resulting in someone's death, you will get arrested if caught, you will loose your license if caught and a DUI is permanently attached to your record. If you need more information about the risks of drunk driving and alcohol, there is an abundance of information on the Mothers Against Drunk Driving website and thousands of communities offer free programs and literature on this subject.
4 - Be alert and aware of your surroundings. If a teen is going to drive, they shouldn't drive if they do not feel alert enough to drive. There are at least 30 to 40 things any driver needs to be aware of when driving on a daily basis. Of these things are the weather conditions and the signs and signals of the road. Not being aware of your surroundings can lead to violation of traffic laws which carry hefty penalties and an accident which can raise your insurance rates about 35 percent or more.
Tips & Warnings
Parents should talk to their teens and make them realize the consequences for not being a safe driver. If a teen gets a traffic ticket or has an accident, parents should start disciplining their children for these actions in an effort to make them understand that the consequences of not practicing safe driving techniques can extend far beyond that of a traffic ticket. One mistake can cause a serious, sometimes fatal, accident.