Deadly Teen Driving Mistakes: Accidents Happen

Accidents happen, even to the best drivers. Unfortunately, this is especially the case for teen drivers. Every year, more teen drivers get into car accidents than any other age group. Almost all of these accidents can be attributed to unsafe driving, such as speeding and distractions that can be prevented. Studies show that pedestrians, passengers and people in other cars account for nearl two out of three fatalaties in teen car crashes.

There are simple ways to prevent minor car accidents and even major car crashes. Not all of these ways were taught to you in Driver's Ed, but most of them are just by using common sense. Before you get in the car and put lives at risk, make sure you thoroughly read this article. Are you one of the thousands of teens in the United States that is going to have a deadly car crash this year?

Don't overestimate your driving ability. Sure, you just got your driver's license; That doesn't mean that you rule the road. You still have to remember everything you learned about driving. Just because you see mom or dad driving with one hand while they eat a bagel doesn't mean that you are capable of the same. Your parents have over 15 years of driving experience. You probably have less than one. In time, you will learn how to be a safe driver through experience. Just because you had 20 hours of driving time in Driver's Ed doesn't give you all of the road knowledge that you need. Admit this, and you are making great strides toward becoming a better driver.

Not wearing a seatbelt is one of the biggest mistakes you can make while in a car, whether you are driving or not. Even if you are sitting in the back seat of your mom's car, you should wear that seatbelt. It truly can save your life. That is why wearing a seatbelt is the law in all 50 states. While some states only make you wear a seatbelt while sitting in the front seat, some states require you wear a seatbelt whenever you are riding in a car. If you get pulled over while you aren't wearing a seatbelt, you will get a fine. If there are people in your car under the age of 16 that are not wearing a seatbelt, you (or the driver) will get a fine. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seatbelts reduce the risk of injury or fatality by an incredible 45 percent. Don't risk it, and put that seatbelt on.

Even without things to distract you inside of your car, there are so many different road hazzards that can cause a distraction. For example, a dog running in front of your car or road construction. Your attention needs to be focused on the task at hand: driving. That is why it is illegal in several states, including New York, to talk on your cell phone while driving. This is a huge mistake that teenagers make, which can lead to some really horrible traffic accidents. If you are talking on your cell phone, you might not notice that the traffic light just turned red. Being distracted by chatting away with someone on your phone takes your focus off of the road. A hands-free set is legal in the states that outlaw cell phones while driving, but they also cause a distraction. Do yourself - and the drivers around you - a favor and stay off of the phone while you are driving. Besides, you don't want the person you are talking to hear you get into a car accident.

There is no doubt about it, speeding is fun. Even if we haven't been pulled over, most drivers have driven over the speed limit at one time or another. However, speeding is not only dangerous, it is against the law. It also accounts for about one-third of fatal teen car crashes. In several states, your license can be suspended or even revoked if you are speeding. Some states even have a three strike law for young drivers: Get three speeding tickets within 18 months and your license will be suspended for at least six months, not to mention what your parents will do when they find out. Keep in mind that car insurance rates are contingent upon your driving record for the past three years. If you get a speeding ticket, the infraction will appear on your insurance and your rates will go up. Don't think you can hide it either; insurance companies will verify your driving record with the DMV.

If you are the person among all of your friends that has both a driver's license and a car, chances are that you are going to be the one driving all of your friends around - especially during the summer. This might not be the best thing to do, particularly if your friends are a rowdy bunch. The risk of a teenager getting into a car accident doubles when driving just one friend in the car. With two or more, the risk raises fivefold. If you insist upon transporting your friends in the car, make sure you set some ground rules. You might sound like a parent, but let them know that they can't fool around in the car while you are driving. Tell them that it is very distracting, and you don't want to get into a car accident. Chances are they don't want to get into an accident either, and they will respect your request.
Text messaging while driving is just plain stupid, even if you are stopped at a red light. You simply can't read, type and drive at the same time. If it is that important that you read and reply to the text message, pull over.

The same thing goes for using your iPod. Sure, the iTrip is a fantastic little gadget that allows you to play your iPod tunes through your stereo, but it isn't safe to search through and select music on the iPod (or any other MP3 player, for that matter) while you are driving. If you have a passenger in the car, ask them to do it for you. If not, set the music that you want to listen to while you are driving before you leave. That way, you don't have to fool around with finding the music that you want to listen to. The same goes for setting up music if you are just using a CD player or the radio. Set the CD or radio station that you want before you start to drive. Then, you won't be distracted by wanting to change the music.

Have you ever wondered why it is so hard for Grandma to drive at night? The reason is simple: It is harder to see at night. This is especially the case for people that live in rural areas without many streetlights. The crash rate for teenagers doubles between the hours of 9:00pm and 6:00am, so it's a good idea that you don't just go cruising around at night with nowhere to go. To make sure that new drivers don't do this, some states even impose driving restrictions and curfews on teens with a junior license. If you don't obey this law and get pulled over, your junior license can be suspended and you can be prevented from getting your full license until you turn 18.

Here is a scary statistic: 36% of all fatal teen crashes involve alcohol. If you are under the age of 21, it is illegal for you to consume alcohol in the United States. Period. Many states have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to underage drinking and driving. For example, in the state of Alaska, you can have your license revoked if you are found drinking even if you are not driving, and you won't be able to get it back until you turn 21. Alot of teens risk driving under the influence of alcohol because they are afraid of what their parents are going to do if they are found drinking. Don't take a stupid risk and call your parents to come and pick you up. Sure they will be mad, but you can bet that they will be glad that you gave them a call for a ride rather than taking a chance behind the wheel yourself. Besides, being grounded is a heck of a lot better than being dead.

Even if you aren't the one that was drinking at the party, but your ride home was, call your parents to come and pick you up. Getting into the car with a drunk driver is one of the dumbest decisions that you can make. As soon as you see your driver drinking, call and let your parents know that you are going to need a ride home. They may be a little annoyed, but they will certainly be glad that you called them rather than getting into a car with someone under the influence. If you don't want to call home, hitch a ride with a friend that hasn't been drinking or even call a cab. Whatever you do, do not get into the car with a drunk driver.

Cramming yourself into a car with a bunch of other people and an over-excited driver isn't the best decision that you can make. Don't sit on the lap of another person while riding in a car, and don't let someone else do it while you are driving. If your car can hold just five people, keep it at just five people. And never, ever, ever put anyone in the trunk - even if you own a hatchback. If you are rear-ended, they are doomed. Everyone that rides in your car should have a seatbelt designated to their seat. If they don't, then there are too many people in the car. And, as mentioned before, don't forget to have all of the people riding with you wear their seatbelts.

Green means go. Yellow means slow down. Red means stop. A stop sign isn't a suggestion. Make sure that you follow traffic laws. They are there for a reason. Running a red light or a stop sign is an invitation for disaster. Even if you are in a rush because you are late for work, there is no good reason to speed, run red lights and disobey any other traffic laws. You obtained your driver's license because you passed the road and written tests required by the state in which you live. You obviously know what you should and should not do while driving. If you are caught breaking any laws, the consequences can be dire. Not only can you get a hefty fine, breaking some traffic laws can result in the suspension and even revocation of your license. And, of course, breaking a traffic law, no matter how minor it may appear to you, can result in a serious car crash.

Most of all, don't take dumb risks behind the wheel or while in the car with another driver. While riding on the roof of the car may seem like fun at the time, it isn't any fun when the driver stops short and sends you flying into the street. Drag racing, even though it has been made popular in movies such as The Fast and The Furious, is a horrible idea. In those movies, they have stunt drivers on a closed course. If you are so hot on driving fast, see if your dad will take you to a race track or just go go-carting with your friends. Your car is not a toy. In some states it is considered a weapon.

When driving, use common sense as well as the knowledge you obtained in Driver's Education. Do this, and you are good to go.