January is Teen Driving Consciousness Month, which is a superb motivator for pupil drivers to brush up on some security precautions. Statistics say that teen drivers face larger dangers behind the wheel, given their lack of expertise and impressionable age.
The truth is, based on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, motorcar crashes are the main explanation for dying for youngsters in the US. At DriverEd Security, our precedence is to reduce hazard in secure driving practices, so let’s run by means of some easy (but efficient) steps teen drivers can take to stop as many destructive outcomes on the highway as attainable.
ADJUST YOUR SEAT AND MIRRORS
Earlier than you hit the highway, place your rearview mirror so you may see out the again window with out shifting your head, and alter the facet mirrors to see what’s to your left and proper. In terms of your facet mirrors, you wish to place them so you may barely see the rear nook of your automotive. Regulate your seat so that you’re sitting straight up and might simply attain each pedals with a slight bend of the knee, in addition to the steering wheel.
PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY
The CDC reported that 39 p.c of teenagers have admitted to texting whereas driving (yikes). As an alternative, arrange your GPS app, resolve on a superb playlist, and reply your vital texts earlier than you set the automotive in movement. If you happen to are likely to get distracted simply by your cellphone notifications, take into account silencing your cellphone or placing it on “don’t disturb.” Apple additionally provides a security characteristic referred to as “Driving Focus” in your cellphone, which activates routinely whenever you’re in a shifting automotive.
It’s vital to notice that Indiana is a hands-free state, which means that Indiana legislation prohibits drivers from holding cellular gadgets, similar to smartphones and tablets, whereas driving to scale back distracted driving and enhance security on Hoosier roadways. So should you completely want to select up your cellphone, pull over safely and put the automotive in park beforehand.
In case you are driving a more recent automobile, there could also be choices obtainable that let you use your cellphone hands-free, like Apple CarPlay or Andriod Auto. This lets you reply calls with a button in your steering wheel or reply to texts with voice recognition instructions. If you happen to really feel an pressing must reply a textual content or name whilst you’re driving, the advisable choice is to discover a parking zone and decide up your cellphone solely as soon as you’re safely stopped. Briefly, whenever you’re behind the wheel, driving needs to be your one and solely process.
CHECK THE WEATHER
The saying “the one fixed is change” instantly applies to Indiana’s climate. Rain, snow, ice, wind, and each different climate situation you would consider can have an effect on how (or if) you must drive. At all times take note of situations and be ready for something!
If you happen to do get caught within the rain, snow, or ice, it’s inspired to drive beneath the pace restrict to reduce the danger of sliding or hydroplaning. Moreover, you must take note of not solely the automotive in entrance of you however the different autos in entrance of it. It’s best to extend the next distance between your automotive and the automotive forward of you in case site visitors involves a halt and it’s a must to out of the blue hit the brakes. That is particularly vital in inclement climate.
LEAVE FOLLOWING DISTANCE BETWEEN YOUR CAR AND OTHERS
Tailgating is harmful—and might even set off offended drivers. Leaving sufficient area between you and the motive force forward of you, each when in movement and when stopped, is a should to keep away from collisions (particularly a “chain response” crash) and put on and tear in your automotive from sudden braking. Rising your following distance additionally offers you with extra time to react to no matter might occur within the site visitors forward of you.
PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR HEADLIGHTS
Headlights are extraordinarily vital in your security, so ensure to check that they’re working accurately earlier than driving off. Whereas some newer vehicles might have computerized headlights which can be triggered as soon as it will get darkish, not all vehicles have that choice. A fast rule of thumb is that because it will get darkish, double-check that your headlights are on.
When you attain your vacation spot, make sure the automotive is totally turned off earlier than leaving it. There’s no higher strategy to spoil your day than by accident leaving your headlights on and returning to a lifeless automotive battery. Most newer vehicles routinely flip the headlights off as soon as parked and locked, nevertheless it by no means hurts to examine!
LEARN TO READ TRAFFIC
Studying to learn site visitors is particularly helpful for gradual or stopped site visitors. The primary rule of thumb is to at all times take note of the automotive in entrance of you and the autos in entrance of it. This offers you cues into what site visitors is like up forward and can put together you for any sudden braking, merging, and so forth.
You may as well look to taller autos within the distance (like semi vehicles) as guides as a result of these vehicles sit larger than different vehicles, which means they’ve higher visibility down the highway. Taking note of their maneuvers can assist you safely swap lanes and extra simply cross development and accident websites up forward. With that being stated, many drivers don’t like driving instantly behind giant autos as a result of it obstructs their view of what’s forward. Attempt to keep away from driving proper behind these huge autos, however should you get sandwiched between them, improve your following distance so you may broaden your view of what’s forward.
SOBER DRIVING IS THE ONLY WAY TO DRIVE
This needs to be a no brainer, particularly contemplating the authorized consuming age and the recognition of journey apps like Uber and Lyft. Bear in mind: driving and alcohol don’t combine, and the outcomes may without end alter your life (and others) in a destructive method.
Even when you find yourself not the one driving, do not get right into a automotive with an grownup who has had an excessive amount of to drink. Use your greatest judgment when somebody provides you a journey. If in case you have any doubts about their capacity to drive, it’s greatest to say no the provide and discover one other method residence.
LEARN TO DRIVE WITH DRIVER ED SAFETY
The following pointers simply scratch the floor of all there’s to be taught as a brand new driver. The CIESC Driver Schooling Program provides programs on-line and behind the wheel to develop efficient defensive driving strategies and create accountable, educated, licensed drivers.
Be taught extra about our open enrollment On-line Course, or register for Behind the Wheel classes.
