It’s is a known fact that teenage drivers account for more cat accidents than folks in any other age group. Here are 5 tips that can help keep your teen safe while on the road. This post is brought to you by Kingbgmc.com.
1.) Choose a Safe Car
When looking for a new (to us) car I cared about the safety of the of the car first and foremost. Check the crash safety record before you look into the latest features. As a side note, this is a great thing to do with car seats too. You want a car with the latest anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and air bags. The new back up cameras are a nice feature too but it wouldn’t be on my must have list.
2.) Put Down Your Cell Phone Off
There are studies that relate driving with a cell phone (even hands-free) to driving drunk. That’s awful. Distracted driving is dangerous for anyone and increasingly so for new drivers who need to concentrate.
3.) Don’t Text (Even voice to text)
An average text takes 5 seconds to type and send. That seems quick enough, right? Wrong. Even if only traveling at 55 mph, that would take your care the the length of an entire football field without looking at the road. A lot can go wrong in those few seconds.
Studies have found that voice to text can be just as dangerous. AAA released a study that confirmed this. They said, “as mental workload and distractions increase, reaction time slows, brain function is compromised, drivers scan the road less and miss visual cues, potentially resulting in drivers not seeing items right in front of them including stop signs and pedestrians.”
4.) Obey the Speed Limit
This seems like a given, right? Speeding is a major contributor to teen accidents. This is especially true in unfamiliar areas or when there is a lot of traffic. Even if everyone is speeding by, keep a safe speed. It can not only keep you safer but will help you avoid costly tickets and sky rocketing auto insurance premiums.
5.) Minimize Distractions
Being a distracted driver is possible even if you leave your phone in your bag. Drinking (anything), eating, playing with the radio, can all cause your mind or vision to wander. Try and arrive somewhere a few minutes early if you need to reapply your make up, eat your lunch, or whatever else you’re tempted to do in the car. Chances are, whatever it is you’re doing, isn’t worth risking your life for.
There you have it, 5 tips to help you stay focused and safe on the road.
Leave a Reply