Automobile accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers who drive, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency’s studies show that more than a third of deaths among teens who drive are caused by car accidents. Below, the Michigan car accident attorneys at Sachs Waldman provide driving tips for teens to help young drivers avoid becoming one of these statistics.
Turn off the radio -- Jamming to tunes on the radio while driving is lots of fun, but it has a tendency to be distracting at just the wrong time. All your attention should be on driving and the traffic around you.
Don’t text while driving -- This is a major factor in a growing number of accidents and teen deaths. Taking eyes off the road for even a second can cause a driver to miss important details.
Don’t use your cell phone while driving -- Studies show that using a cell phone while driving is nearly as dangerous as drunk driving -- and a hands-free phone doesn’t improve the situation.
Don’t drive when short on sleep -- Fatigue and drowsiness reduce awareness and attentiveness. Sleeping at the wheel is obviously dangerous.
Focus on safe driving and avoid showing off when giving rides to friends -- Statistics show that teen drivers are more likely to end up in a crash when other teens are in the car. It may be because they want to impress their friends or just get distracted. Either way, don’t let it happen to you.
Ask passengers to be quiet and not distract you while you’re driving -- Whether they’re talking to you or to other passengers, conversations in the car can be distracting even if you’re trying to pay attention to the road. If you find yourself paying more attention to passengers, let them know they’re being a distraction.
Pay extra attention to safe driving at night and during inclement weather -- Dangers can be more difficult to see at night or when weather is bad. Rain and snow create additional hazards. Be sure to match your travel speed to road conditions.
Realize you are an inexperienced driver -- It can take several years for drivers to become confident, safe drivers in most circumstances. Don’t be afraid to turn over the wheel to more experienced driver when road conditions or traffic situations are more than you’re ready for. Even driving in a new location can be confusing and dangerous when you aren’t sure where you’re going or aren’t familiar with the roads -- that goes for experienced drivers as well.
Understand that the rules your parents set for you are for your safety -- Rules may seem like a drag, but they’re there to protect you and give you the best chance of making it home safe and alive.
Don’t drive drunk -- Drunk driving is still the leading cause of fatal car accidents. It’s illegal for any driver and an underaged driver runs a risk of losing their license immediately if caught driving drunk.
Make sure everyone in the car wears their seatbelt -- Seatbelts play a large role in minimizing injuries if a crash does occur.
Drive defensively -- Always look well ahead in traffic and to sides and anticipate the actions of other drivers, so you are prepared to take appropriate actions and don’t get surprised.
Don’t get angry or upset while driving -- When drivers are emotional their attention isn’t fully on the road; it’s on whomever or whatever made them upset. That’s a distraction that can cause a driver to miss important details and dangers. Teens are often known for their emotional and impulsive decision making -- be on your guard against this while driving.
Obey all traffic laws and speed limits -- Always drive under the speed limit, come to full stops at stop signals, and obey all other traffic laws, even if they seem “optional” at the time. Just like your parents’ rules, rules of the road are there to get you and other drivers home safely.
Become familiar with all the control features and safety devices in your car before driving -- Knowing how your brakes work, where the safety brake is and where other controls are helps to avoid mishaps and keeps you from having to search for controls while driving, like looking for the wiper switch when it suddenly starts raining. This is especially important if driving a vehicle you aren’t used to.
Follow other vehicles at a safe distance -- Give other drivers extra room so you can maneuver to avoid an accident if necessary.
Signal correctly and give other drivers enough warning -- Letting other drivers know what you’re going to do gives them the ability to give you the room you need and keeps them from being surprised.
These tips don’t just apply to teens. All drivers can benefit from them and make roads a safer place to drive.
It is tragic when teenagers are injured or killed in a car accident. However, some of the tragedy can be mitigated through the recovery of damages. Michigan no-fault insurance and personal injury suits can compensate a family for medical costs, lost wages and other damages, including monetary compensation for suffering, emotional loss or loss of a family member.
While these things can be unpleasant to think about, without recovery of damages families can suffer additional strain financially under such circumstances. The Michigan auto accident attorneys at Sachs Waldman have extensive experience helping families recover damages under tragic circumstances. They are compassionate in working with family members and effective at achieving results. For help recovering damages in a Michigan car accident, call our office at 1-800-638-6722 to schedule a free consultation.
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