Teen Driving Safety
The third week of October is National Teen Driver Safety Week. Established by Congress in 2007, it is a period to raise awareness about the extra risks teen drivers face.
According to PennDOT, vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 16-24-year-olds. Ferguson Township Police would like to address some of the causes at the root of this avoidable fate and offer tips to keep yourself and other young drivers you may know safe behind the wheel.
Teen drivers have a disadvantage of inexperience behind the wheel. Whereas an older driver may have a developed instinct about how to react to an animal running across the road or how to handle driving in adverse weather, teens lack this experience and know-how. The best way to learn is through cautious driving practice.
While getting enough rest and leaving plenty of time to get to the destination are key safety steps, teen drivers face an elevated risk of having a accident due to distractions.
Common distractions:
- Using a cell phone
- Adjusting the radio
- Talking with another passenger
- Eating or drinking
- Other attempts to multi-task (applying make-up, looking at self in the mirror, trying to find something in a bag or on another seat)
- Being tailgated by another vehicle
Tips to avoid distractions:
- Don't use your cell phone at all while driving; pull over in a safe place like a parking lot to make and answer calls while en route
- Set the radio to your favorite station before driving and adjust it to a low enough volume to easily hear other cars and noises outside the car
- Set a "No Food or Drinks in the Car" rule: Eat or drink before you go or after you arrive
- Look for things in your bag or on another seat after you arrive, it can wait
- Plan your route beforehand; set your gps or learn the route before setting off
- Don't feel pressured to speed because the car in front is doing so, or because the car behind is following closely - go the speed limit
Take a few minutes to remind any young drivers in your household of these tips. They are listening, and hearing simple reminders from parents and guardians may just keep them safe next time they are out on the road.
