Tips for Teens

A car is a very big tool.  When you follow the rules, it safely gets you to where you need to go.  Any tool can be dangerous when misused.  Here are some tips from studies by the NHTSA and those of us who have lived past our mistakes.

• Always wear your seatbelt.
  • It is the fastest, easiest and best way to save lives and reduce injuries.
• Speed limit signs tell us the safe driving speed for normal conditions.
  • Use your brain… slow down for wet, icy, or foggy conditions, etcetera.
• Don’t follow too close.
  • Remember to leave room between you and the other cars.  If the car in front of you suddenly stops or swerves, you need time to avoid them.
• Always use turn signals; even for lane changes.
  • They warn the other drivers you are going to move your car somewhere else and that they shouldn’t pass you right now.
• Red traffic lights mean STOP.
  • Do not stop and then go.  Just because you don’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there.  They are lights instead of stop signs for a reason!
• Yellow traffic lights mean stop if you can safely do so.
  • Never hit the gas to “get through”.  The other guy’s light is going to turn green and if he is not paying attention, he will hit you and that HURTS.
• Never get in the car when the driver has been drinking-even when you are the driver.
  • Your parents would much rather come and get you than have the police notify them of your death!
• Don’t eat and drive.
  • You need two hands to control your car.
• Set your radio or CD player before you put your car in motion.
• Don’t talk on your cell phone. You don’t need a distraction.
  • ABSOLUTELY NEVER try to dial or text while driving.
• Reading and driving is just DUMB.
  • That means maps and directions, too.  Just pull over to check them out.
• Keep your car clean.
  • It is automatic to reach for falling objects- and swerve when we do it. 

  
  Always use your head.  There are reasons for these rules.  Someone before you, already tried them out.  Believe it or not, your parents are telling you things for a reason-not just to make your life miserable.  When you are sitting in a 2500 pound bullet, you can do a lot of damage you don’t want to have to live with for the rest of your life!