Getting a driver’s license is an important step toward achieving independence as a teenager. Yet, with this newfound freedom comes the potential for making big mistakes. For your convenience, the experts at Car-Title.org have researched the top eight mistakes most teen drivers make.
Distracted Driving
Teenagers love their smartphones. Whether they are texting, snap chatting or updating their social media status, teenagers are constantly on their phones. This means that teens are often tempted into using their phones while driving. It is estimated that about 35 percent of all teens text and drive, regardless of whether or not they know about the danger beforehand. This leads to 11 teens dying every day as a result of texting while driving. The team at Car-Title.org strongly recommends that everyone refrain from using their cell phone while driving. If the call or text is urgent, one should pull over or find a parking lot nearby before using their phone.
Speeding
Out of all the crashes caused by teen drivers, the team at Car-Title.org has found that 21 percent of these crashes were due to speeding. Due to the stage of their brain’s development, teens are more likely to engage in risky behavior than older people. This means that they feel less of a sense of danger while speeding. Even if driving over the speed limit “feels” safe to the teen driver, it will still take them up to three times as long to slow down. Being unable to safely stop may cause an accident that could potentially take the lives of those involved. It’s best for everyone if speed limits are always obeyed.
Driving With “Tunnel Vision”
On the other side of the spectrum, some teens may be overly nervous behind the wheel. This may cause them to hyper-focus on what is in front of them, giving them tunnel vision. Failing to pay attention to what is going on around their car can cause accidents. It’s important that all drivers, regardless of age, are aware of their surroundings and check their sides and blind spots when driving.
Worrying About Other Drivers
Other drivers may be impatient with a new driver. Some drivers might honk, tailgate or yell at unseasoned motorists due to their frustration. It’s important that teen drivers learn to tune these types of “road bullies” out. Safety is more important than someone else’s impatience. Teen drivers should learn to take their time and drive at the level that makes them feel comfortable. For example, if someone is tailgating a new driver, he or she should not feel pressure to speed. Instead, the new driver can move over and let the other car pass.
Having Too Many Passengers
Teen drivers might feel pressure to give their friends rides. All teen drivers should only drive with the number of passengers that they feel comfortable with. In some states, there are certain restrictions on how many passengers a new driver can have in the car.
Intoxicated Driving
The team atCar-Title.org discovered that 11 percent of all alcohol consumed in the United States is drank by teens, and this alcohol is usually consumed in the form of binge drinking. Consuming high amounts of alcohol and getting behind the wheel is extremely dangerous. Since it’s illegal for individuals younger than 21 to drink, getting caught drinking and driving will result in serious legal issues for teen drivers.
Not Wearing a Seat Belt
The security of a seat belt should never be underestimated. If you aren’t wearing your seat belt during a crash, you can be thrown right through the windshield of your car, which can cause serious life-threatening injuries. All drivers and passengers should put their seat belts on every time they are in a moving car.
Driving an Unsafe Car
The experts at Car-Title.org have found that 16-year-olds have the highest rate of crashes among drivers. Driving an old or unsafe car could be even more dangerous for these teens. Cars have greatly improved over the last 5 to 10 years with better safety technology and reinforced chasses, but driving an old car could put a teen in danger. Also, driving a car that is in need of repairs can be just as dangerous. If a teen is driving an old or run-down car, he or she should try to purchase a newer, safer car as soon as financially possible.