First Time Driving Tips for Teens & New Drivers

The Most Valuable Tips for First-time Drivers

1. Avoid Distractions

One of the common causes of accidents is distracted driving. This is especially true now that almost everyone has a cell phone at their side at all times. While many states have passed laws banning texting and driving, it remains a major cause of traffic accidents. The best thing you can do is put the cell phone away every time you get in the car so you won't be distracted by notifications or calls.

Another way to help minimize distractions is to limit the number of people in your car, especially as you're first learning how to drive and getting more comfortable on the road.

2. Use Your Turn Signals

One of the worst things you can do is be an unpredictable driver. You should use your direction-indicator lamps effectively because it tells other drivers what you intend to do so they can plan and respond accordingly. Always use your turn signals to indicate when you intend to change lanes or make a turn. You should always turn your signal on before you execute your turn or lane change, not during.

3. Learn How to Handle Bad Weather

Poor road conditions caused by rain or snow is another major cause of accidents. Remember: you should always adjust to match the conditions you're driving in. If it's raining, snowing, or even if it's just dark out, you'll need to slow down and give yourself more space between cars. You should also be aware of slick spots on the road. Decelerate in poor visibility; for instance, where ice has formed or in snowy weather. Additionally, use dipped headlights in snow or poor visibility so that other motorists can see you. Keep in mind that during bad weather, other motorists will be less visible, too.

4. Know the Signs

You should always be aware of road signs and what they're telling you. Be sure to study what various road sign symbols mean so you'll know what to do when you encounter them. Road signs communicate important information like speed limits, curves in the road, or other factors that might pose a danger. You should never ignore road signs, even if you feel confident.

5. Speed Up and Slow Down Gently

One of the biggest challenges faced by new drivers is accelerating and braking. You should always gently ease down on the pedals to avoid accelerating too quickly or braking too suddenly. Not only does this pose a danger to you, but it can damage your vehicle as well. When you are approaching a stop sign, immediately apply light pressure to your car brake.

Remember that speeding is dangerous, as it's among the leading causes of crashes involving new drivers and teenagers. If you are speeding, you reduce the time it will take you to react to a situation. You can also lose control of your car. Lastly, speeding increases the risk of a road accident when you are driving through inclement weather.

6. Keep a Safe Following Distance

Adequate following distance is essential as it will allow you to adjust in case of an emergency and safely stop your vehicle. The following distance should be between 5 and 6 seconds when driving in wet conditions. In other weather conditions, the safe following distance is between 2 and 3 seconds. Avoid tailgating to reduce the risk of rear-end collisions.

If someone is tailgating you, it is important to know how to avoid them. Tailgaters are a dangerous annoyance, and you should know how to deal with them safely. If you're driving at the recommended speed, slow down gradually and get out of their way, allowing the tailgater to pass you safely. It's safer when they are in front of your car. Find other routes if the one you are taking has many tailgaters and road ragers.

Although tailgaters can be intimidating, you should stay calm, even if they are yelling, flashing their lights, or honking their horn. People tailgate for myriad reasons: they could be in a hurry, ignorant, or they could be road ragers. Remaining calm in this type of situation will allow you to maintain focus, which is crucial when it comes to avoiding road accidents.

7. Stay Alcohol-free

Alcohol slows down reflexes, which could affect how fast you react when something occurs. It can affect your memory and concentration for up to 48 hours, which can lead to accidents. Alcohol can also slow down the communication between your brain and eyes. In turn, this can weaken the muscles of your eyes and alter your eye movement and visual perception, which can lead to blurred vision. For these reasons, parents should ensure that their teen understands the dangers of driving while intoxicated.

8. Keep Your Car in Good Shape

Check your oil and change it regularly to keep your engine in good working condition. This will help you identify potential problems before they occur. Before driving, check your brake fluid and change it if it's necessary. The brakes are one of the important parts of your vehicle, as they help you avoid collisions. It's much safer driving a well- maintained vehicle. If your car is not in good running shape, it can put your life and the life of other passengers at risk.

Parents Can Use the FamiSafe App to Ensure Their Children Drive Safely

You knew this day was coming, and you'd thought that you would be more prepared. As your young adult hits the road, you want to ensure that they're paying attention to all the lessons you taught them about driving safely. In the past, you wouldn't know. Luckily, with FamiSafe, you can now be sure that your children are driving safely all of the time.

FamiSafe is considered a valuable parental control application that allows parents to monitor their children's driving methods. With the use of geo-tracker locating, you can follow your child's location via their phone. You can get reports of multiple driving details that can update you on their usual driving habits.

FamiSafe can alert you of valuable details like the number of hard brakes that your child makes when behind the wheel. It can reveal their average driving speeds, their top speed, and when they're going over the posted speed limit on the roadway. With all this information available with a couple of swipes on your phone, you can now have more control than ever over your child's driving habits.

Learning how to drive can be an exciting experience. It can also be hard for new drivers to know how to handle this experience. Driving for the first time doesn't have to be scary if you follow some basic safety tips. Remember that practice makes perfect, and don't forget these first time driving tips even after you become an experienced driver.

Moly Swift

staff Editor