10 Important Driving Lessons for Your New Teen Driver.

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10 Important Driving Lessons for Your New Teen Driver

Learning to drive is exciting. For most teens, it is something they wait for and anticipate for years. For parents, however, the situation can be nerve-wracking. While this is true, you can share some tips and lessons with a teen driver to help ensure they remain safe while behind the wheel and avoid being involved in car accidents.

While teaching your teen to drive is challenging, you can ease the situation's stress by teaching them some essential safety tips. Keep reading to learn what these tips are.

1. Accelerate Slowly

It is tempting to hit the gas pedal when the light turns green. However, self-control is a must – especially for teen drivers. Also, the vehicle's engine will perform better when it is eased into higher seeds. When accelerating, go from a complete stop to a slower roll. From this point, gradually increase pressure on the gas pedal.

By accelerating slowly, a driver can avoid many issues, including slipping or sliding on wet pavement or losing control of the vehicle.

2. Engage in Effective Communication

Your blinker is a crucial part of driving safely and can help prevent car accidents. When used properly, your blinker communicates what you plan to do. Use the horn sparingly and only to warn other drivers. Using the horn too much can create a dangerous situation on the road and cause alarm to other drivers.

3. Remain Aware of Weather Conditions

Different weather conditions can impact how a person drives. Snow, sleet, and rain affect braking and traction.

While some weather-related driving tips may seem like common sense, this is not the case for new teen drivers. Before they drive in these weather conditions, make sure they know how to do so safely.

4. Select the Lane Carefully

Make sure teens are familiar with the purpose of all lanes. Ensure they know to provide plenty of space to make lane changes and turns, too.

The far-left lane is used for passing (safely) and traveling longer distances; consider the center lane.

5. Animal Activity

In winter, deer and other animals are on the move. If an animal runs out in front of a vehicle, a teen's instinct may be to swerve to miss it. However, a better strategy is to press the brake – fast and hard. Do not swerve for an animal, as this may cause a potentially fatal situation.

6. Watch for Road Signs

Ensure your teen has a full understanding of all road signs, pavement markings, and safety signals they may encounter. Never ignore a road sign or a safety signal because they think it is unnecessary. There is a reason that these signs are posted, and they should be followed.

7. The Importance of a Clean Windshield

Attempting to look through a snow-covered or dirty windshield is dangerous. When light reflects off a frosty or dirty windshield when the sun is going up or down, it can be challenging to see.

When the first frost glazes your windshield or the first snow buries the vehicle, make sure your teen knows how to clean it off properly. Remember, the common sense of how to handle these situations may not be apparent to teens.

8. Maintain a Steady and Safe Speed

As your teen gets more comfortable driving, it is tempting for them to go past the posted speed limits. However, following the speed limit is not just the law – it is imperative for your teen's safety.

9. Brake Gently

Like accelerating, you should avoid slamming the brake pedal to the floor when stopping. Teens need to learn how to recognize when they should begin pressing the brake. If you see a stop sign or if the light turns yellow, light pressure should be applied to the brake as soon as possible. The driver should never be in a situation where they must slam on the brakes to stop in time.

10. Keep the Wheel Steady

Keeping the wheel steady is something that can be hard for new drivers to master. However, if you take a turn or even drive straight down the road, keeping the wheel steady is a must. Shaking or swerving back and forth can lead to the teen losing control of the vehicle.

This increases the likelihood of car accidents, which is something most teens and their parents want to avoid.

Teen Driving Tips Revealed

At some point, all teens are going to learn to drive. If you are the teen’s parent, it can be an intimidating process and make you nervous for their safety. However, with the tips and information found here, it is possible to have confidence in your new driver and feel confident they will be safe when driving on their own. Being informed and knowing the tips here will help ensure your teen remains safe while on the road.