As a teen, you will need to learn how to drive. This is a big responsibility that can be daunting for some people. The following tips should help guide your first time on the road.
Always make sure you are practicing in an area where there are not many cars or pedestrians around so no one gets hurt if something happens.
Get someone who has been driving for at least 3 years to teach you the basics of driving and let them know what your intentions are when learning how to drive.
Always wear a seat belt
Seat belts save lives, although they are usually just used at the beginning and end of trips. It is important to always buckle up when driving in order to protect yourself and your passengers from injury. Wearing a seatbelt for longer trips helps prevent the driver from being drowsy while driving.
Don’t drink and drive!
DUI (driving under the influence) is a serious offense that can end in life-altering consequences, including death. It’s better just to wait until the night is over before you continue on your journey. Get a designated driver or have someone available to take you home.
Don’t text while driving!
You can wait until your car is stopped or find a safe place to pull over when you feel like answering a text. Always drive responsibly and don’t let yourself become distracted by technology that can be put away for the time that you are behind the wheel.
Instead of texting, look at the road and be aware of everything that is happening on it.
Be especially careful near young children.
Many children are not able to recognize a moving vehicle and will often wander into the street without paying attention to cars. They may stop in one place without watching for other vehicles or have their back turned while playing and be unable to hear the sound of an oncoming car. Be especially aware of children when driving around parks, schools and neighborhoods where large concentrations of kids are likely to gather.
As a first-time driver, you should also follow laws that pertain to teen drivers in your area. Some states have restrictions on how long teens are able to drive at night, how many passengers they are allowed to have in their car and what times of day they need to be off the road.
Pay attention to these laws and make sure you are aware of their restrictions.
Even if they seem bothersome, following the rules will help keep you safe while driving. A driver who is not worried about potential punishment for breaking a law can be more likely to take unnecessary risks and cause an accident that could have been prevented had he or she been paying attention to the rules.
It is also important to always follow traffic laws even if you are with an experienced driver who has shown that they can drive effectively. It’s a good idea to watch what your driving instructor does and then ask them questions about why they do it that way when you get behind the wheel by yourself in order to develop good habits that will last you your whole life.
Car accidents can happen anytime, anywhere, and to anyone. In fact, according to statistics from the National Safety Council, there were over 40,000 people killed in car accidents just last year. The above tips will help you to avoid being a statistic!
