Taken from: www.budgetdirect.com.au Being independent, gradual freedom and wanting to get their L or N sign away sooner than later, can be a great push for a new teen driver to pass their Driving test. But the statistics are very sobering: The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16-19-year-olds than among any other age group. In fact, per km driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are nearly three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be in a fatal crash. As a parent, you can play and active and crucial role in your teenager’s driving lessons. Here are nine road safety tips to share with your teen to encourage them to be better, safer drivers. 1. Wear your seatbelt
2. Put the Phone AwayLearner and New drivers aren’t allowed to use phones at all while driving. The physical, visual and cognitive distraction leads to unsafe driving and increases the odds of a crash. Before starting the car, have your driver-in-training switch off his phone and put it out of reach. If they need to use the phone, teach them to stop and park where using a mobile phone won’t be a danger to themselves or to other road users. According to researchers, each time a driver writes and sends a text, his or her eyes are off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, enough time to drive the length of a rugby pitch. Remind your teen that it’s their job to watch the road when driving, and no one else can do it for him. 3. Check Your Blind Spot Every TimeSide and rear mirrors do a good job of showing what’s happening behind the vehicle. However, they still leave areas big enough for other cars, bikes and people to hide in. That’s why drivers should check their blind spots:
It’s a good idea to practice checking blind spots with your teen until the head-over-the-shoulder move becomes second nature. It’s also possible to minimise the size of a blind spot by adjusting the side mirrors so that your own car is out of sight. 4. Don’t Drive in Someone Else’s Blind SpotTeens should be aware of their own blind spots, but also those of other vehicles too. If they’re driving alongside the right of and slightly behind another car, that other car might not see them there. Your teen should pull alongside or in front of them, or drop back until he can see the face of the other car’s mirrors. 5. Sleep, Then DriveYour teen may be smart enough not to drink and drive, but did you know that driving sleepy can be just as dangerous as driving drunk? Sleepiness impairs a person’s attention, working memory and coordination skills, all crucial for safe driving.
These reminders seem very simple but crucial. Remind your teen often as these habits don't come naturally if you are a new driver. Be safe on the road and if you need us to check your car before the cold winter comes, please don't hesitate to call us!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Author'sGorm Dagoe and Archives
November 2018
Categories
All
|