Teen Driver Safety Week: Tips For Teens And Parents To Keep Everyone Safe

Congress established National Teen Driver Safety Week back in 2007 and is recognized during the third week of October every year. The week is recognized to help raise awareness about safe driving for teens. This is especially crucial since car crashes are the leading cause of death among 16-24 year olds. To help lower that number, Coastline Academy is going to share some safe driving tips for both teens and parents to keep everyone safe behind the wheel.

Tips for Teens

When it comes to the rules of the road for teens, here are some helpful tips for teenagers to remember when getting behind the wheel of a vehicle:

• Always wear your seat belt.
• Obey the speed limit, as speeding gives you less time to react.
• Don't drink and drive. It is illegal to drink under the age of 21.
• No talking or texting on your cell phone while driving.
• Do not eat or drink while you are driving.
• Before taking off, make sure to adjust the radio and climate controls. If you need to do it while driving, have your passengers adjust them for you or pull over to a safe spot and adjust them yourself.
• If you are driving behind a semi-truck and can't see the truck's mirrors, that means the driver cannot see you. Back up some and put some space between you and the truck.
• Even with GPS, it is always better to plan ahead for trips and know where you are going before taking off.
• Most teens share a vehicle with a parent/guardian, so make sure you are adjusting the driver's seat and all mirrors before beginning your trip.
• Leave early. It is better to give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination than be rushed. That is when mistakes happen.
• Always expect the unexpected, as you never know what might happen.

Tips for Parents/Guardians:

While it is important for teens to follow the rules of the road and use these tips to help them out, parents/guardians play a crucial role in keeping teen drivers safe on the roads. We are sharing some tips to help you when teaching your teenager to drive:

• Set an example. Teens like to follow what they see, so if they see you driving properly and following the rules, they will also.
• Talk about driving with your teen even before they turn 16.
• Know the rules of the road.
• Make sure your vehicle is safe and well-maintained.
• Be familiar with the tasks and requirements of teaching your teen to drive. Or go with a professional driving instructor, like Coastline offers.
• Start out slow and simple. Don't overwhelm them, so try a low-traffic area or a parking lot.
• As they get more comfortable behind the wheel, then start working your way into more difficult driving areas.
• Allow your teen to drive in all situations and all kinds of weather.
• There is no such thing as too much practice.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's training journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.