All of the Issues You Wish to Learn about Teen Driver Security

October 15-21 is Nationwide Teen Driver Security Week, and it’s pretty much as good a time as any to remind your self or your teenager of secure driving habits. You will need to observe secure driving habits, but it surely’s additionally necessary to know what to do within the occasion of an accident. As a result of let’s face it, many teenagers are going to have their first accident within the coming years, and they may not know what to do within the aftermath.

These driving suggestions and instruments that monitor driving habits are very important for making certain teen driver security and speedy entry to emergency companies.

Understanding the Dangers with Teen Driver Security

The hazards for younger, new drivers on the highway are staggering. Based on the U.S. Division of Transportation, teenage drivers have been concerned in accidents that killed 2,608 individuals in 2021. Whereas many people are already conscious that automobile crashes are a number one reason behind loss of life amongst teenagers, the deeper knowledge would possibly shock you.

For instance, 51% of the teenager drivers who died in 2021 weren’t carrying a seatbelt. I had no concept that so many teenagers don’t put on a seatbelt. Additionally, the chance of a teen partaking in dangerous driving habits triples when there are a number of passengers within the automobile.

Sadly, it’s much less stunning that 19% of youngster drivers concerned in deadly automobile crashes had alcohol of their programs.

The statistics are deeply regarding. I personally was a terrified new driver as a result of I felt like I used to be certain by the statistics to crash. However it’s potential to make the highway a safer place for teenagers. Studying the “Guidelines of the Street” and implementing good driving habits are confirmed to lower teenagers’ threat of a deadly crash.

The “Guidelines of the Street” embody no dashing, cellular phone use, drowsy driving, or medicine. And at all times buckle your seatbelt!

Apart from these blanket advisories, I even have two extraordinarily necessary guidelines for myself:

• Keep in your consolation zone: Taking dangers and pushing your self into uncomfortable conditions could be nice for making new mates or attaining targets. However that habits has no place on the highway the place you possibly can simply hurt your self and others.
  • All the time go the velocity you’re comfy with to remain in management.
  • Take acquainted routes. Whereas it’s necessary to have expertise driving in site visitors and on the freeway, generally there are safer and simpler routes that solely add a minute or two to your drive. In highschool, I at all times prevented this horrible intersection close to my home as a result of I used to be almost hit a number of occasions and noticed different horrific accidents there. Not solely was it safer, but it surely was usually sooner for me to chop by way of the CVS parking zone. It’s not foolish if it makes you’re feeling safer.
  • Staying in your consolation zone additionally means setting boundaries. If somebody is extraordinarily distracting or disturbing to have within the automobile, cease letting them in your automobile. After I was studying to drive, I finally set a boundary for driving with my mother. Sure, my very own mom. As a substitute, I discovered to drive with my dad and older brother. The identical goes for mates. I do know lots of people who have to set boundaries with mates they’ve been carting round to highschool.
• Be careful on your mates. As a young person, there are lots of conditions the place you aren’t in management. Generally your solely choice is to journey with mates, and so they aren’t at all times the very best drivers. Even once you’re enjoyable within the passenger seat with the corporate of buddy, keep conscious. Control the automobiles in entrance of you, and examine blindspots whereas they’re switching lanes or turning. Backseat driving isn’t going to make your buddy a greater driver, however at the least you possibly can hold them from hitting somebody.
  • Watching out for mates additionally means ensuring they aren’t listening to music too loud, ingesting and driving, hitting a weed pen in the midst of providing you with a journey or getting in a automobile with different harmful drivers. These items sadly occur on a regular basis.

Now, I can say I’ve survived the sketchy years as a teen driver. I flip 20 subsequent month, so now I can solely blame my *enjoyable* driving on being from Texas.

Jokes apart, a brand new Forbes evaluation ranks Texas because the state with the worst, most harmful licensed drivers. That may clarify lots of the terrifying shut calls I’ve had with Texas drivers. You may as well see the place your state stands when it comes to deadly crashes, intoxicated drivers, and distracted driving.

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A gently used automobile for a younger new driver can nonetheless include the teenager driver security options you want. Photograph: A Ladies Information to Vehicles

Driver Security Apps – Not Only for Teenagers!

A lot of apps can monitor driver habits utilizing your location and velocity. In addition they determine should you’ve been in an accident and may instantly name emergency companies.

Whereas monitoring apps like this will likely sound like a mum or dad’s dream and a teen’s nightmare, teenagers can truly profit too.

In truth, I do know lots of teenagers who use these apps with out their mother and father’ involvement. Teenagers use them to convey mates collectively and ensure everyone seems to be secure. You possibly can add mates in most of the apps, and set places like your property, college, work, and your pals’ homes. That means, you could be notified when your pals go away the home, arrive at college, or arrive residence safely.

Widespread and trusted apps that present these companies embody:

• Life360
• RoadReady
• SafeDrive
• AutoCoach
• TrueMotion Household

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Automobile Security Options You Want

Whereas I’ve gotten alongside fairly effectively with my 2012 Volkswagen Passat, which has zero know-how or security options, I at all times want I had SOMETHING to assist me keep secure and alert.

I began writing this text final week, feeling assured in my driving abilities and talent to present recommendation to others as a result of I had by no means been in a single automobile accident.

Just a few days later, a police car hit my automobile whereas driving down a fundamental highway. He side-swiped me, then drove off (sure, that’s against the law). It was a minor accident, however now I actually want I had blind spot displays to warn me that the car was approaching my driver’s facet. I might have probably prevented the accident.

Should you or your teen are out there for a brand new automobile, search for these necessary security options in a brand new automobile or take into consideration including them to an older automobile:

• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Backup Digicam
• Ahead Collision Warning
• Collision Avoidance System
• Lane Preserve Help
• Sprint Cam! These are so necessary for ALL drivers within the occasion of a crash and even theft.

Sure, I’ve survived with out all of those options. However I’m an especially cautious driver, and most teenagers I do know should not. A lot of my mates additionally didn’t have newer automobiles with these options, however I do know their driving historical past…many accidents, shut calls, and distracted driving might have been prevented if that they had these options. So if it’s in your finances, it’s price it.

To study extra about these options, learn “8 Automobile Security Options to Defend Your Teen Driver.”

What to Do When You’ve Had a Automobile Accident

Within the unlucky occasion of a automobile accident, it may be arduous to remain calm and keep in mind what to do.

Be ready for an accident by downloading your automobile insurance coverage app and staying logged in, or have a duplicate of your insurance coverage card within the glove field. When you have AAA, roadside help or one other useful resource, you’ll want to have the cellphone quantity and your account quantity readily available.

If an accident occurs, safely pull over to the facet of the highway, if potential, and keep away from site visitors. If the accident is extreme, or if anybody is damage, name 911 as quickly as potential. Examine for oncoming site visitors earlier than trying to exit the car. Assess the harm and take photos. Observe the time the accident occurred and anything you possibly can keep in mind about how the accident occurred.

Get the names, insurance coverage data, license plate quantity, and different necessary data from the opposite driver(s) concerned within the accident.

Name a mum or dad or somebody who may help to tell them of the accident, and allow them to know you’re secure. They may be sure to get residence safely and may help you navigate the aftermath or file an insurance coverage declare.

If the opposite driver doesn’t pull over, you possibly can name 911 or your native non-emergency quantity in case you are secure and unhurt. You may as well file a police report, which frequently could be performed on-line.

However let’s hope that by no means occurs. If you understand the foundations of the highway, have security apps to remain related and your automobile is loaded with security know-how, Nationwide Teen Driver Security Week will simply be one other occasion in your rear view mirror.