National Teen Driver Safety Week: Keep Everyone Safe With These Tips For Teens And Parents

National Teen Driver Safety Week was first established by Congress back in 2007 and takes place during the third week of October every year, so October 16-22 this year. The week was put in place to help raise awareness about safe driving for teens, which is crucial since car crashes are the leading cause of death among 16-24 year olds. Coastline Academy is on a mission to eradicate car crashes, so we are sharing some safe driving tips for both teens and parents to keep everyone safe behind the wheel.

National Teen Driver Safety Week - Tips for Teens

Keep in mind the rules of the road for teens, as we share some helpful tips for teenagers to remember when getting behind the wheel of a vehicle:

• No talking or texting on your cell phone while driving.
• Always wear your seat belt.
• Don't drink and drive. It is illegal to drink under the age of 21.
• Obey the speed limit, as speeding gives you less time to react.
• Before taking off, make sure to adjust the radio and climate controls. If you need to do it while driving, have your passengers adjust them for you or pull over to a safe spot and adjust them yourself.
• Do not eat or drink while you are driving.
• Leave early. It is better to give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination than be rushed. That is when mistakes happen.
• If you are driving behind a semi-truck and can't see the truck's mirrors, that means the driver cannot see you. Back up some and put some space between you and the truck.
• Most teens share a vehicle with a parent/guardian, so make sure you are adjusting the driver's seat and all mirrors before beginning your trip.
• Even with GPS, it is always better to plan ahead for trips and know where you are going before taking off.
• Always expect the unexpected, as you never know what might happen.

National Teen Driver Safety Week - Tips for Parents/Guardians

Yes, it is very important for teens to follow the rules of the road and use these tips to help them out. At the same time, parents/guardians play a crucial role in keeping teen drivers safe on the roads. We are sharing some tips to help you when teaching your teenager to drive:

• Know the rules of the road.
• Talk about driving with your teen even before they turn 16.
• Make sure your vehicle is safe and well-maintained.
• Set an example. Teens like to follow what they see, so if they see you driving properly and following the rules, they will also.
• Be familiar with the tasks and requirements of teaching your teen to drive. Or go with a professional driving instructor, like Coastline offers.
• Start out slow and simple. Don't overwhelm them, so try a low-traffic area or a parking lot.
• There is no such thing as too much practice.
• Allow your teen to drive in all situations and all kinds of weather.
• As they get more comfortable behind the wheel, then start working your way into more difficult driving areas.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's training journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.