Back to School and Behind the Wheel: Driving Tips for North Carolina Teens

Even with Halloween looming on the horizon, the prospect of so many newly licensed North Carolina teen drivers getting behind steering wheels is undoubtedly the most frightening thing about fall. The new school year is in full swing, and with the abundance of social and extracurricular activities taking place all over town, not to mention the need to get to and from campus, inexperienced teen drivers have every excuse to get on the road.

If you're the parent of a teenaged driver, chances are you're experiencing a whole new kind of nervousness. You made it through your baby's first round of immunizations, your kindergartener's first day of school, your preteen's first date, but this-the prospect of your progeny driving a deadly weapon made of two tons of steel down the highway at 70 miles per hour-inspires a degree of worry you never thought possible.

What can you do to ensure that your teen, and everyone else who happens to be on the road around her, stays safe? Teach, and preach, the following teen driving tips:

• When headed for school in the morning, watch-and stop-for school buses with flashing lights. There are likely to be children getting on or off the bus.
• Arrive at school five or ten minutes before the first bell rings to avoid the craziness that ensues when everyone is trying to race into the parking lot at the same time.
• When cruising around town, avoid making left-hand turns across intersections without turn signals. These are common sites for accidents, as inexperienced teen drivers have not yet mastered the art of gauging the amount and/or the speed of oncoming traffic.
• Remember that even though another driver has his or her right turn signal on, he or she may not turn right. Never make assumptions about what other drivers are going to do, even assumptions that seem logical. That driver may have left her turn signal on by mistake, and may keep driving straight ahead when you least expect it.
• Instead of competing with aggressive drivers, stay out of their way. Teens may be tempted to race or "get back at" drivers who cut them off or drive in an intimidating way. It's better for a teen driver to swallow his pride than get into a road rage-fueled battle.
• When driving in the country, be on the alert for deer and all kinds of other animals. Go slow, and in the evening or at night turn on the headlights. Hitting a deer can do serious damage to a car, and suddenly swerving to avoid wildlife can be deadly.
• Keep in mind that deer rarely walk alone. If one is standing near or on the road, chances are there are others nearby. Be aware.
• No matter where you're driving, always buckle up, and make sure everyone else in the car has done the same.
• Avoid filling the car with more passengers than there are seatbelts.
• Instead of driving like you own the road, always drive like you own the car (even if your parents do!).
• Don't distract yourself with loud music, cell phone use, texting, or intense conversations with passengers. Teens are less practiced at driving in the midst of distractions, and more likely to crash if their attention is pulled away from the road.
• Always keep your windshield clean. A windshield that looks sufficiently clean in the middle of the day can be virtually impossible to see through at sunrise or sunset.
• Needless do say, never drink or do drugs before driving.

For more information about teen driving safety and car insurance, contact Litaker Insurance today.