One interruption could steal your response.

Whether you’ve been driving for a short while, a few months, or even years, take some time to review these eight safe driving guidelines.

1) Turn Off Your Cell Phone: According to numerous studies, using a cell phone while driving is similar to operating a vehicle while intoxicated. This is true even if the phone is being used hands-free.

NOTE: Using a phone while driving may be against the law in your state. More states are passing legislation governing texting and cell phone use. Younger drivers frequently have to obey tighter restrictions.

2) Don’t Text: According to research, texting results in an average 4.6-second loss of attention while driving. In that time, you could drive the entire length of a football field. While you’re driving the length of a football field without keeping your eyes on the road, a lot can go wrong. Additionally, since many jurisdictions forbid texting while operating a motor vehicle, avoid using the “texting-while-stopped” strategy. Furthermore, if your eyes are on the ground, you won’t see any potentially important developments. Keep in mind that even when you are stopped, you still need to pay attention to the road.

3) Turn On Your Headlights: Even when it appears to be bright outside, using your headlights improves your visibility and makes you more noticeable to other drivers. You must utilise your lights in the early morning and early evening (dusk), because other cars may not notice you, which might be disastrous.

4) Respect the Speed Limit: One of the main causes of fatal teen accidents is speeding. This is especially important to remember when driving on busy or unfamiliar roads. If it feels like everyone else is passing you in the traffic, don’t feel obligated to keep up. Driving at a safe speed protects your health and prevents you from receiving expensive traffic fines that could significantly increase the cost of your auto insurance hike.

It may be tempting to eat, drink, change the radio station, or listen to loud music while driving around town, but all of these activities might lead your mind or eyesight to wander, even for a brief while. You are more likely to lose control of your car if you are a less experienced driver. Distractions greatly raise the likelihood that you may 1) miss oncoming danger or recognise it too late, and 2) lose control of the car.

6) Travel alone: Taking a single juvenile passenger doubles your risk of causing a collision. The risk increases as there are more teen passengers.

7) Put defensive driving into practise: Keep an eye on the traffic in front of, behind, and beside you at all times, and plan any possible escape routes. At slower speeds, keep at least one car length behind the vehicle in front of you; at faster speeds, keep a bigger distance between the two. If you enrol in a defensive driving course that has been approved to help you become a better driver, some auto insurance companies will even give you a discount.

8) Pick a Safe Car: If at all possible, drive a vehicle with the newest safety features (including airbags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control) and a stellar accident safety record.

Last Word: Teens Developing Safe Driving Habits

Applying the aforementioned advice will increase your chances of avoiding becoming a statistic for adolescent drivers involved in accidents, but there is no substitute for actual driving experience or the knowledge that comes with age. Additionally, it’s simpler to acquire affordable auto insurance in the future when you have a clean driving record devoid of incidents.