Now that you’ve finally received your driver’s license, the world is yours! Shopping, hanging out with friends, picking your boyfriend up instead of the other way around – you now have the freedom to do it all, and without your parents constantly looking over your shoulder. But you’re still a young driver, which means you may make some mistakes. Here are a few of the most common to keep in mind when you’re thinking of getting behind the wheel:
Distraction. There’s a lot going on, even when you’re driving your car. Maybe you’re answering your phone, texting your friends, or choosing a song on the CD player or on your iPod. Anything happening in the car can become a distraction, and teens are by their very nature easily distracted. Staying focused will help prevent accidents.
Risky business. On some occasions you can honestly say that you really didn’t see that stop sign when you blew right through it, and after all, many adult drivers do the same thing. But deliberately ignoring traffic lights or signs, weaving in and out of traffic, or changing lanes without checking your blind spot are all risks that can be dangerous – and can, once again, cause an accident.
Fill ‘er up! You and your five best girlfriends have planned a shopping expedition to the mall, and you’re the only one with a license. Your only option is to pack the car full of the five of you and take off, right? Wrong! Overcrowding the car is another frequent mistake that first time drivers make. The more passengers who ride in your car, the more risks you are taking, as you can double or even triple your chances of having an accident.
Fast as lightning! Many adults speed too, but driving faster than posted limits or completely throwing caution to the winds can be a habit you develop when you’re still a teen. As a still-inexperienced driver, you haven’t had much of a chance to practice driving, so you may not understand or be able to accurately judge how your speed can affect the way you respond to the things you might encounter on the road, including other drivers or pedestrians. And studies have shown that riding with boys in the front of the car can lead to more aggressive driving.
Under the influence. This one is a biggie, one of the most dangerous, and can cause you to lose your license in a heartbeat. Drinking and driving (or any kind of driving under the influence of mind altering substances) causes impairment to your judgment, which can often be pretty severe. Many teens who are killed in drunk driving accidents failed to use their seatbelts. And driving after smoking marijuana can worsen your reaction time. The effect, combined with alcohol, might prove to be lethal.
Possessing your own driver’s license means that you have taken another important step toward becoming an adult. Consider these mistakes that other teens have made, and practice being a responsible driver, for your own health, and the health of everyone else you meet on the road.
Carol Steinhamis a contributing writer for usedgeoengines.com where Saab engines are shipped nationwide every day.
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