Most teenagers are very excited to sit at the driver’s seat and have full control over the vehicle. This is one step closer to independence and adulthood. Driving gives them a feeling of responsibility and maturity. Because of so much excitement, many teens get into the moment and forget crucial safety factors. Here is a reminder, and 10 essential tips for new drivers. 

 The way we behave in traffic has a large impact on other drivers. Our desire for freedom and independence often puts us in unwanted situations. To avoid that kind of situation, we bring you 10 tips for new drivers. These tips will help you teach your teenager some essential things about driving out on the road. 

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  Hands On The Wheel

Relax your hands when they are on the wheel and be sure they are in the right position. The greatest control of your vehicle is achieved when both hands are on the wheel. It is recommended that your arms take positions at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock. Avoid retaining tension in your shoulders because it makes it harder to steer when you are stiff. Holding your hands too loosely can cause problems as well. Try to find that golden middle spot and keep up with it. All of this comes with experience, so don’t worry you will be fine.

• Watch Your Turns

When you make a left turn make sure not to pull your wheels to the right before you do. Stay continual and steady in your turn progress. Too many inexperienced drivers pull to the right before they turn left and it causes passing traffic to sideswipe them. It is important to stay in your own lane at all times. Remember to always be aware of your surroundings.

• Always Wear Your Seatbelt

Wearing a seat belt can make you feel like you’re choking sometimes. We totally understand that. But, even if you don’t feel comfortable, you need to wear a seat belt. It is one of the simplest and most effective driving tips for your own safety. It will protect you from hitting your head on the windshield and it’ll keep your body in the appropriate position. It is very possible that wearing the thing will save your life. Make sure your passengers are wearing their seatbelts as well.

• Follow All Traffic Laws

Traffic laws were designed to keep people safe and to allow traffic to flow as freely as possible. Whenever you are driving, be aware of the traffic laws for your place of residence. Keep yourself educated about any changes, or variations on what type of road you are driving on. Make sure you understand what you are learning about, and apply the knowledge in your driving habits. If everybody followed the traffic laws, there would be a lot less trouble on the road. Too many people believe that the laws don’t apply to them so they speed, and drive like jerks. Don’t be a jerk. Be mindful of the people around you, their loved ones, and their pets. You don’t want to take a dog’s owner away from them because of a mistake you make driving. That would be ruff.

• Focus On the Road

The only thing that matters is the road. Some studies have shown that almost every accident happened because of a lack of attention. Stay away from your smartphones, foods, drinks, and cigarettes, etc. Keep in mind that accidents happen within a split second. In that split second you could ruin the lives of yourself and everybody around you. That notification on your phone can wait, it is never worth risking lives to look at it.

• Never Drive Under the Influence

Everything that can change the state of consciousness (like alcohol, drugs, and lack of sleep,etc.) should not be mixed with driving. If you find yourself in such a state, call for a cab or simply ask a sober friend to take you home. You are now the operator of a vehicle, with this comes great responsibility. You literally hold the keys to life and death in your hand. Don’t drive if you’re impaired.

• Keep Your Vehicle Well Maintained

Make sure you “listen“ to what your vehicle is saying to you. It is wise to check it regularly and take care of its complex system of parts. Those parts need attention and good care, sometimes even replacement. Make sure your brakes are safe and check your tires often.

• Learn About Your Vehicle

If you’re curious about how your car would behave in certain situations, you must first understand how it works. We are not saying that you should be a mechanic for that purpose, but that you can give your best to learn something more about your best friend out on the road. Luckily, we live in a golden age of technology and the internet where you can get a bunch of information online, for free. It’s up to you how much you want to learn. Give it a try! You might even like car science. 

• Interacting With Other Drivers

Aside from traffic rules, there is also some kind of “friendly communication” between the drivers. That means that you absolutely need to obey the rules, but you still need to keep in mind that sometimes others don’t do the same. Much like dancing with a partner, where you have to sync yourselves, you need to interact with other drivers on the road. Let them know what your future steps are and look for what they are telling you, too. That can be a real life-saver sometimes. Using blinkers is really helpful, and if you don’t have any; try hand signals.

• Stay Relaxed

Just like in every-day life, the road will gift you with some horn-honkers and bad-behaved people. Don’t let them distract you. Drive at your own pace and follow the rules. Stay mindful of others on the road. Some jerks are going to appear from time to time, yelling and honking at everything that moves. This is not your problem. Keep yourself far from it. Let them be who they are, and you just be who you are.

Eyezupapp.com is dedicated to keeping our young, new drivers safe on the roads by reducing the problem of distracted driving.  We have developed a comprehensive safe driving app that allows the parent or guardian to shut off texting while driving on their child’s phone from the parent phone without the teen driver being able to shut the app off.  It stops all incoming text messages from being answered and keeps your driver focused on driving. You can download your free 7-day free trial to stop distracted driving here.

Paul Petersen