Traffic Safety Tips for Teen Drivers
According to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), teenage drivers account for more auto accidents than any other age group. If you are a parent of a teen driver PLEASE talk to your child about the safety tips below!
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Do not TEXT or use your cell phone when driving! It is against the law. Many studies indicate when using your cell phone while driving, even using a hands-free phone, is the equivalent to driving drunk.
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Turn on your headlights. By having your headlights on you can increase your visibility and help other drivers see you.
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Always obey the speed limit. Speeding causes 40% of all fatal teen accidents.
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Becoming distracted as a driver is very easy. Eating, drinking, finding a radio station and loud music are just some of things which can distract a driver. These distractions are even worse for an inexperience driver and increase the odds of becoming involved in a traffic collision.
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Your new driver should drive solo. Having a single teen passenger in the vehicle can double the risk of causing a car accident. For every additional passenger, the risk of an accident increases.
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Practice defensive driving by being aware of traffic ahead, behind and next to you.
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Do not tailgate another vehicle. A good rule to follow is the “two second rule”. A driver should not follow another vehicle less than two seconds behind it. To determine this, the driver should pick a stationary object on the side of the road. When the vehicle directly in front of you passes the object, you should count the seconds it takes for your vehicle to hit the same point. If your count is less than two seconds, you are following too closely.
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If possible, choose a safe vehicle and one with an excellent crash safety record. A vehicle with air bags, anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control are some of the latest safety equipment that should be considered when choosing a vehicle.
Working together as a community, we can educate ourselves and our teens on how to become defensive drivers and reduce the risk of traffic collisions. If you would like more detailed information on safe driving tips for teenage drivers, please visit www.dmv.org
Shared by Palmdale Sheriff's Station @PalmdaleSheriff
www.facebook.com/PalmdaleSheriffsStation
Prepared by: LET Heather Fuquay
Media Release Date: October 3, 2014
* Lost Hills Sheriff's Station polices the Cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Malibu and Westlake Village, and the unincorporated communities of Chatsworth Lake Manor, Malibu Lake, Topanga, and West Hills:
For further information contact:
Malibu / Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
27050 Agoura Road
Agoura, CA 91301
(818) 878-1808
Website: www.LostHills.lasd.org
LASD HQ Text and Emails: http://www.Nixle.com
http://nixle.com/lasd---malibulost-hills-station-los-angeles-county-sheriff/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LostHillsSheriffsStation
Twitter https://twitter.com/LHSLASD
