Top driving mistakes

Top driving mistakes

Teen Drivers make a lot of mistakes and are in the realm of being one of the highest demographics that are involved in car accidents. There are several reasons that you could think of why teen drivers are involved in more accidents, but here are the top 10 teen driving mistakes from AAA.

1. Risk taking — Know that it can happen to you. Car crashes are the leading cause of injury and death for people ages 15 to 20. It’s not just about you: Crashes affect pedestrians, passengers and other drivers, as well as their families. You don’t want to do something you’ll regret the rest of your life.

2. Not wearing a seat belt — Use a safety belt and insist that all your passengers do so as well. About two-thirds of teens killed in vehicle crashes were not wearing safety belts. Wearing a seat belt reduces your chances of being hurt or killed in a crash by 45 percent.

3. Speed — Stick to the speed limit. One-third of teen fatalities involve speeding. Obeying the speed limit reduces the severity of a crash you can’t avoid.

4. Rowdy riders — Don’t load up your car with friends. Adding one teen passenger to a vehicle increases a 16- or 17-year-old driver’s crash risk by about 50 percent. With two or more teen passengers, the crash risk increases fivefold.

5. Cell phones — Focus on driving. Save the phone calls, text messaging and other gadgets for after the driving is done. Talking on a cell phone while driving can double reaction time.

6. CD players — Turn the music off while learning to drive. Research shows that adjusting the radio is the most common distraction for drivers between the ages of 16, and driving and channel-surfing don’t mix.

7. Late-night cruising — Don’t drive late at night. Teen crash rates at night (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.) are twice as high as daytime rates. Obey parental curfews.

8. Driving under the influence — Stay sober. Of 16- to 17-year-old drivers killed in crashes, one in six would have been considered legally intoxicated by adult standards.

9. Peer pressure — Make good choices and don’t be afraid to “speak up.” Before you get in a car with a friend, ask: Is this a person you trust? Is he in the right frame of mind to drive safely? Are you prepared to speak up if he drives dangerously?

10. Overconfidence — Inexperience and overconfidence can lead to crashes when new drivers encounter unfamiliar or unexpected situations. Parents should supervise and monitor their teen drivers, even after they get their license.