Teen Driving Safety Tips

1. Basic Vehicle Tips

o A safe vehicle helps to keep its passengers safe. Keep the vehicle in good driving condition. Keep tires properly inflated, keep fluids at proper levels and always replace windshield wipers when they're not keeping the windshield clear. Lights are also critical to safe driving, and you should always be sure they're in proper working order.

Rules and Laws

o Teens are often lucky in that they have driving classes in school to teach them the driving laws for the state that they live in. These laws have a purpose, and following the rules of the road is a large part of staying safe.
Avoid drinking and driving, stay within the speed limits, wear your seat belts and generally be a courteous driver. Some states have specific laws regarding teenagers, so be sure that you know the laws of your state.

Common Sense

o Teen driving tips also include common sense advice such as "don't drive on an empty tank." This helps to keep you from being stranded and left in a potentially dangerous situation. Along with this, get solid directions before you leave, if you are uncertain as to how to get to your destination. Be aware of weather conditions, and don't drive if conditions may be hazardous.

Stick to Driving when You're Driving

o Distractions are the reason for many accidents involving teens. Cell phones are not for use while driving, whether it be a phone call, a text or for any other reason.
It is also just as important not to take time to adjust a radio or iPod while on the road and to keep the volume low enough to hear what's going on. Eating while driving is also a safety hazard.
If you must deal with a distraction, pull off of the road to do so.

Other Tips

o Some teen driving safety tips cover lesser known aspects. For instance, passengers of small build are safer in the back seat than they are in a passenger seat with an airbag. So teens are safer to let those of small build ride in the back seat, as an airbag increases their chances of injury if there would be an accident.
Also, the more teenage passengers a teen driver has in a vehicle, the more likely is an accident. Thus, the fewer teen passengers the better.