“Although crash risk for teens is high, crashes are preventable. There are many things you can do for car accident prevention. Stay safe behind the wheel by gaining driving skills with a parent or other trusted adult. Avoid risky behaviors, such as not buckling up or driving your many friends around. You can prevent car crashes by practicing safe driving behaviors.
Distractions
While talking or texting on a cell phone or driving your friends around are tempting, they’re dangerous distractions because they take your focus off the road. Only use a cell phone in the car in case of an emergency. Even then, be sure to pull over to make a call or text . For the first year of driving, do not carry peer passengers. After you’ve gained enough experience behind the wheel, talk to your parents about driving your friends. And then talk to your friends about how they can help reduce distractions when they are in your car.
Speeding
Always follow the posted speed limit. It’s in place to help you stay in control of the car. Going any faster is hazardous, especially for new drivers. Speed limits are set based on ideal conditions. So if you are driving at night, in bad weather, or in high traffic volume, you’ll likely need to drive below the speed limit. If you are learning to drive, speed management is crucial to master in a variety of environments. Watch these videos for tips on learning this skill:
All drivers need to slow down and be more cautious at night. But experienced drivers are able to anticipate and avoid hazards more quickly than new drivers. With practice and time, you will become a better nighttime driver. Until then, be sure to log plenty of practice hours with an adult before driving alone, and then stick to familiar driving routes before venturing out on unfamiliar roads. Watch this video for tips on driving at night:
Make sure you buckle up every time you get into the car, as a driver and a passenger. Crashes can happen any time, anywhere. Whether you’re going around the corner or practice driving on the highway, your seat belt should always be on. The same for your passengers.
The best way to protect yourself behind the wheel? Gain experience. Understand that restrictions set by your parents and Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws in your state are designed to get you the experience you need to be a safe driver. Following these rules, logging supervised miles on the road, and staying in control of your car and your passengers will help prevent you from crashing. “
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