The first time your teenager gets behind the wheel of a car, it is a spine-tingling moment for them and a scare for you. After all, the facts about teens and auto accidents are alarming. And even though teen fatality rates have steadily dropped since the mid-1970s, teenagers remain three times more likely to crash than adults.
Driving a car is the first step to true independence and a pivotal moment in a teen’s life. But as a parent, you have concerns about safety as well as the type of car your teen should drive. There are other concerns as well. Here are a few tips covering driving safety brought to you by Suffolk Glass, your Long Island windshield repair service.
Buckle Up
We are sure this is something you have stressed to your kids for a very long time, but you just can’t overstate the importance of seat belts. You need to get the message through to all younger drivers that seat belts save lives, it’s plain and simple.
Turn Off the Cell Phone
There are multiple studies that show driving while using a cell phone is the equivalent to driving while intoxicated. Even using a hands-free phone is dangerous when you are trying to focus on the road.
Turn on the Headlights
Keeping your headlights on, even during the day, increases your visibility and helps other drivers see you. It is especially important that you have your lights on at dawn and dusk, even if you think it is plenty light out.
Minimize Distractions
While it might be tempting to drink, eat or change the radio station, it can cause you to lose focus at the critical task at hand; driving. As an inexperienced driver, even the smallest of distractions can completely throw you off. If you are distracted even for just a few seconds, it could be the cause of an accident.
Drive Alone
There is nothing more distracting than having several friends in the car with you. As a rookie driver, it is best if you drive solo. Studies have shown that the risk of an accident doubles when teens have passengers.
Safe Car
The odds are stacked against teen drivers, but a safe car can help ease worried parents. When shopping for Junior’s first car, find one with an excellent safety rating and the latest safety equipment like anti-lock brakes, airbags and stability control.
Obey the Speed Limit
Again, this is probably another point you have driven home really hard over the years, but it is important because speeding is a major contributor to teen accidents. In a nutshell; speed kills.
Tell your teen not to be pressured into keeping up with traffic because everybody is passing you. Driving the speed limit will help ensure they reach their destination safely, even if they arrive a minute or two after the cars who passed him.
If the windshield of the car your teen drives has a crack in it, it needs to be repaired. Even small cracks and stars in a windshield can affect vision. Contact Suffolk Glass today.