Navigate the Teen Driving Journey Safely:
Know the Rules of the Road
Learning how to drive is an exciting part of the journey to adulthood, but the inexperience of teen drivers can often cause dangers when behind the wheel. Tragically, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens aged 15 to 18 in the United States. To help keep all drivers safe, the Sandersville Police Department (SPD) is teaming up with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) during National Teen Driver Safety Week, which spans from Sunday, October 18 – Saturday, October 24. They are encouraging teen drivers to follow the rules of the road while behind the wheel.
“As a teen, it’s easy to think you’re invincible,” said Captain Kelly Collins of the Sandersville Police Department. “Remember: Driving is a privilege, not a right. We’re counting on parents and guardians to help us share information, and we’re counting on teens to listen to it.”
The following five rules are a great starting point in driver education and can help everyone become a safer driver.
- Don’t Drive Impaired. If you are under the age of 21, it is illegal to drink alcohol, and it is illegal for anyone of any age to drive after drinking alcohol. Marijuana, like other drugs, affects a driver’s ability to react to their surroundings. Driving is a complex task, and marijuana slows reaction times, affecting the driver’s ability to drive safely. Remember that alcohol and drugs – illegal, prescription, or over-the-counter – impair driving and have deadly consequences.
- Buckle Up – Every Trip, Every Time. Everyone – Front Seat and Back. A seat belt is designed to keep individuals safe in the instance of a crash, but only if it is worn. Always buckle the seat belt, whether sitting in the front seat or back – no matter how long or short the trip. Before starting to drive, buckle the seat belt and check to make sure passengers are also secured.
- Eyes on the Road, Hands on the Wheel. All the Time. It is tempting to answer a text or check social media accounts while driving, but those few seconds of eyes off the road could be detrimental. Although, the cell phone is not the only potential distraction. Other passengers, audio and climate controls, and eating or drinking while driving are all examples of dangerous distracted driving. Be sure to always take headphones off before driving, as drivers need to be able to hear another vehicle’s horn, or the siren from an emergency vehicle.
- Follow the Posted Speed Limit. Speed limits are not just suggestions. They are there to keep all drivers and passengers safe. Remember to always drive within the speed limit, as it could be what saves lives.
- Driving friends to school may seem like a good idea, but statistics prove otherwise. According to the NHTSA, teen drivers were 2.5 times more likely to engage in one or more potentially risky behaviors when driving with one teenage passenger, when compared to driving alone. The likelihood of teen drivers engaging in risky behaviors triples when driving with multiple passengers.