With Teens heading back to school, now is a good time to brush up on their driving skills.
Driving safety is probably not the first thing on most teens’ minds, but teaching teens safe driving practices should be the first thing on parents’ minds. To help keep teen drivers out of harm’s way, we’ve come up with these driving tips for the back to school season and throughout the year:
- Make sure every passenger in the car always wears a seat-belt.
- Get to school five to ten minutes early and leave five minutes late to avoid the mad dash into and out of parking lots. Many accidents happen when teens are rushing around.
- Restrict passengers: Teen passengers in a vehicle can distract a beginning driver and/or lead to greater risk-taking.
- No distractions means no cell phones, no texting, no eating, no adjusting the radio, etc.
- No alcohol or other drug use – Make it clear that alcohol and drug use are not only illegal but also highly dangerous, especially when driving.
- No speeding, especially in school zones.
- Stop for school bus when flashing red lights, this indicates students getting on or off the bus.
- Always obey all traffic signs and laws.
- Restrict night driving: Most young drivers’ nighttime fatal crashes occur from 9 p.m. to midnight,
- Know the law: Become familiar with restrictions on beginner drivers.
- Choose vehicles for safety, not image.
- Enroll your child in a defensive driving course even if they’ve already taken drivers ed. This will give them additional defensive driving skills and save you money on your auto insurance policy.
- Parents: Lead by example. Teens model your actions and may adopt your driving habits.
Driving safety is important all year long. If teen drivers exercise caution, obey the traffic laws and drive responsibly, the first days back to school and the entire year will be safer.
