Teen Driving Safety Tips ~
So, my daughter got her Learner’s Permit a week or so ago {stop trying to guess how old I am} and I have been chaperoned to work the past couple of Saturdays. So far, she is doing pretty good but, admittedly, it is a hair raising experience trying to teach a teen about the many safety rules of the road when she is a little {a lot} more interested in looking at boys walking beside it.
Riding With A Teen Driver Can Be Scary
She is doing a very good job so far – and we are all still alive and kicking 🙂 But there are a few key areas that haven’t quite sunk in yet. So, after a week or so of practicing keeping the look of sheer terror off my face {only occasionally}, I have decided to share some teen driving safety tips that I feel are the ones that are most needed at this stage in my daughter’s learning experience.
Teen Driving Safety Tips
- Pay Attention – If you see a cute boy walking down the street, do not stare at him. You might run him over. How cute will he be if he is run over?
- Watch For Brake Lights – If you are not paying attention {refer to #1} to what is going on in front of you, the sudden stop might get your attention.
- Look Both Ways Before Pulling Out – Never coast out into the road and definitely make sure you pull up far enough so that you can actually see if you can pull out safety as opposed to guessing. Guessing is bad and may get you squashed.
- Slow Down Before You Get To The Curve – Slowing down after you realize you have gotten to the curve is not the right decision. Gunning the gas when leaving the curve isn’t either.
- Never Drink and Drive – Period. Ever. You could ruin your life or someone else’s with one bad decision. It is not worth it.
- Never Text and Drive – Pull over and answer texts, make calls, whatever it is that you feel you need to do.
- If You Are Too Tired To Drive, Don’t – We tell our daughter that she can call us anytime to come get her. And we mean it.
- Do Not Drive When The Weather Is Bad – Especially when you are learning to drive, you should not drive when conditions are not favorable.
I think these are the big ones with my daughter right now. Have you had a child get their Learner’s Permit yet?
If so, what were their biggest issues to begin with? How did you help your teen resolve driving issues?
Luckily my son is just a toddler – so we have a LONG time before having to deal with driving! But I agree with the tips on your list, especially paying attention and never text while driving. No fumbling with the radio is another good one.
It’s so important that your eyes stay on the road at all times!
LMBO at #1 😀
Lol, I think this would be a great post to share with new drivers! I definitely agree with you on driving in bad weather…lately we’ve been having lots of bad storms in our area. We were caught in the middle of one on our way home from Books A Million (seemed to have come from out of nowhere). It was so bad, we had to drive at around 20 MPH and couldn’t see more than maybe 30 ft. ahead. It was terrible and pretty dang scary!
yikes – I don’t even want to try and think of how this day will go for me in 13 years 🙂 I think I may be old enough to *really* have a stroke by then!
Great reminder!! I have a friend going through teen drivers (its her first child driving) and shes having a hard time with it! Great post!!
LOL!! I love this post! I am so glad my kiddos are 3 and 4 and I have a few years before I have to think about driving! 🙂
Man I remember my teen driving days-got my license at 16, but I failed the tests twice due to being a nervous wreck!! They make you drive with a state trooper here so it can get very nerve wracking!
Oh gosh! How scary!
Dawn
My oldest is only 5 so I have a little while before I have to worry about this, but I have several nieces and nephews who are all getting ready to get drivers licenses…these are great tips! Thanks 🙂
My son thought he knew it all when he got his permit!! He is an ok driver but very careless in my opinion. When he almost failed his road test he started to listen to me and has turned out to be a better driver. THanks for the tips!!
THANK YOU! This is so important!! Teens (and some adults) don’t realize that taking their eyes off the roads for even ONE SECOND can be deadly!
I taught my husband how to drive when he was 22 or 23. It was TERRIFYING!! He said he really hadn’t had the need for a license before LOL… I am NOT looking forward to teaching kids to drive in 10 or so years.
Hahaha! Glad you made it through!
Dawn
Thank you so much! SO very important!
Perfect timing on this post! I will start to teach my daughter to drive soon, so these tips will come in handy!
love this….. I have one that will be getting her licence this Fall
Great post, exactly what I’ve been repeating over and over to my children. If they think driving is just fun, then it’s not yet time to handle the responsibility. They should wait until they see it as a big task, when they act more mature enough to get behind the wheel.
THat’s a very good list for your daughter. I just wished the age would go up to 17 before they get their license.
My son turns 16 in a few months. Thanks for the tips. The thought of him driving scares me to death.
I don’t have any kids–but these tips are right on the money!! At work there are mostly younger people–so far–one has almost lost his license for driving too fast–one got a hefty ticket for texting while driving and hit an immoveable object–thus she is now saving for a new car–AND as far as I am concerned–old or young-driving while tired is possibly the most dangerous of all–I just wish all our bosses would realize that!!
Great points! We have yet another teen starting to drive next month… #6 of 7…
Wow! I have no idea how you keep your sanity!
Dawn
I remember my mom telling me all of this when I was younger! Great tips!
My tummy aches at the thought of having to drive with my kids’ when they get their permit! It is so scary! I can’t believe that my step-mom did so well with me, I never remember her screaming or begging to get out of the car 😉
Great tips!
Ok so tip #1 is super serious but love how you have made it so that it is something your daughter might remember which is kind of funny in tip form. No the cute boy will not look so cute run over.
When I was learning to drive my little sister would not get in the car with us unless she was wearing her bicycle helmet (even if in the beginning all I was allowed to do was take my foot off the brake around the block).
That is funny about the bicycle helmet!
Dawn
I am a spaz when it comes to teaching my kids how to drive. In fact, I hate being in the car when anyone else is driving, period. I’m kind of a control freak. Somehow my oldest son learned how to drive, but it wasn’t with me. LOL.
I am the same way! I want to drive because I think I drive best. 🙂
Dawn
Great tips. I think however, that my kids won’t drive until they are 40. (A girl can dream)
Lol! Good idea!
Dawn
LOL!! Made me laugh! I am glad my kids are young right now:)
My oldest is turning 15 this summer so it’s the year of the learner’s permit … so not ready for this LOL!
I agree with your tips, especially love the one about drowsy driving which is sometimes forgotten. An important one I would add, make sure your teen is always wearing a seat belt. Remember while your teen is just learning – there are others out there who are also learning or some people who are texting and driving and who knows how good a driver they are?
Wearing a seat belt is definitely very important. Thanks for adding that.