Top 5 Driving Tips for Teens
Do you need to learn the top driving tips for teens? Getting your license and being able to drive to wherever you need to go is a huge step forward in independence. However, let’s not forget that driving comes with a huge responsibility—being a good driver. Legacy Driving Academy in Phoenix, Arizona is dedicated to teaching teens and adults how to drive by developing a healthy foundation of habits that will keep them safe throughout their many years of driving.
What are Some Top Driving Tips for Teens
While there are some nuances to driving well and staying safe, let’s look at some broad tips for teen drivers that should always be kept in mind!
Teen Driving Tip #1 – Know the Rules of the Road
Know the rules of the road? Isn’t that obvious? For those of us who have been driving for years, it can be easy to forget we have many road rules memorized and take that knowledge for granted. A good instructor can see the road from the eyes of a beginner and point out all the things you need to know both formal and informal.
On the simplest level, knowing signs, when and who has right of way, when you are allowed to make turns, and many other small rules like that make up the rules of the road. Understanding this on the written test is one thing, but practicing it in real-time is crucial! Our instructors will be with you every step of the way so you can practice without worry or nervousness.
Teen Driving Tip #2 – Make All Necessary Preparations Before Driving
There isn’t a ton of preparation needed drive, but there are a few things needed. For one, you should make sure that you have proof of insurance on you at all times as well as the vehicle registration—and of course, your driver’s permit or license.
Checking your side and rear-view mirrors to ensure you have adequate vision of the area surrounding your vehicle is important. Adjusting these on the road can be an unnecessary distraction.
Teen Driving Tip #3 – Wear Your Seat belt and Ensure Passengers Do
This could have been placed in rule 2, but it deserves a rule of its own since it’s one of the most vital tips for teen drivers. Click it or Ticket was a campaign pushed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which was aimed at increasing seat belt utilization among teens and young adults. Before 1980, seat belt utilization was around 11%. During the primary run of the campaign from (1991-2007), belt use rates increased year after year all the way up until 2007.
In other words, the campaign was a smashing success and undoubtedly helped prevent many fatalities or major injuries. We will reiterate the point: wear your seat belt!
The driver also has the responsibility of ensuring the passengers wear their seat belts too.
Teen Driving Tip #4 – Avoid Distractions While Driving
One of the top driving tips for teens goes without saying, using your mobile phone while driving is a major cause of roadway incidents! If you must use your phone, pull over somewhere safe to make a call or text someone. Read our post on common distractions while driving to see what other things you should look out for to stay safe on the road!
Teen Driving Tip #5 – Don’t Drive While Under the Influence or Sleepy
Driving under the influence is not just illegal, but downright dangerous for you and everyone on the road. Drinking alcohol is illegal for those under 21, that much is well known. We would never recommend minors to consume alcohol, but unfortunately, it happens. Rather than pretending it does not, all we can do is press the importance of not driving while under the influence. According to the CDC, despite the illegality of minors consuming alcohol, “15% of drivers aged 16-20 involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes had a BAC of .08 or higher”.
Driving School in Phoenix and Surrounding Areas
Our instructors at Legacy Driving Academy in Phoenix, Arizona are passionate about instilling good driving fundamentals to create a safe road environment, one driver at a time! This especially means giving quality advice through our top tips for teen drivers! We also service surrounding areas such as Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert and Ahwatukee.
Contact us today to learn more about our driving programs and which one would be best for you or your teen. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
