So. You’re young and you want to buy a new car. You understand what it will cost you and are ready to pay the price. You’ve checked your credit history and built and established what you could at your age. You’ve researched your car and know what you want, how to get it, and where to go. But once you have the car, there’s more to it than just the money that you will pay out. Having a car requires a lot of responsibility, and not just monetary. It requires a responsible driving strategy. Here are some ways that you can stay safe on the street as a teen.
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No drag racing. This is pretty obvious, but there is a prevailing attitude that ‘it can’t happen to me’. Yes, it can. Even if you think you’re a great, attentive driver, this is still dangerous. People die all the time in the act.
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Wear your seatbelt. Yeah, I know they’re annoying. I agree. They scratch my neck and it just bugs me. But they can save your life. As a teenager, you are much more likely than an adult to get into a car accident, and if you don’t have your seatbelt on you could be flying out the window.
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Make everybody else wear seatbelts. Hey, it’s your car. Your power extends beyond just controlling what radio station you’re listening to. Don’t put your foot on the gas until everyone else has a seatbelt on.
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No cell phones. It’s hard to resist when you hear that special ringer you assigned to your boyfriend while you’re on the highway, but have some self control. Even if you feel sure of yourself driving, you’re still new to this, and many veteran drivers have been dangerously distracted by their cell phone.
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Don’t go joy riding when you’re half asleep and your parents don’t know where you are. Your reaction time slows down and you’re less able to cope with new situations.
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Leave early to arrive early. Don’t rush. If you schedule your time badly, you could end up speeding. You don’t want a collision, nor a ticket.
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Don’t let other drivers bother you. That guy behind you that wants to pass over into your lane so that he can go above the speed limit? Don’t speed up. Be the one responsible driver.
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Signal a few seconds before you change lanes or turn, not during or after.
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Know about your blind spots and compensate for them.
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Don’t drink and drive!
Cheers,
Fashun Guadarrama.