Road Trip Safety Tips for Teens
Dreaming
of driving cross-country with your crew this summer? Or
perhaps your parents just broke the news that this year's
vacation involves the family minivan, your sometimes whiny
younger sister or brother, and one very carsick family pooch.
No matter what the circumstances, a road trip's likely to
feature in your summer plans.
Driving With Friends
Whether you're driving to the beach for the day or putting
serious miles on your dad's hand-me-down pickup, you'll
want to be prepared when you're in the driver's seat.
Stay
focused on your driving and try not to let passengers
distract you. According to the AAA, a 16- to 19-year-old
driver is four times more likely to be in a crash than
an older driver. And, although you'll want to keep your
cell phone handy for emergencies, try to avoid talking
while you drive. Not only does it interfere with your
concentration, it may get you a ticket in some states.
Watch
your speed. It's easy to be cruising along with the music
cranking and suddenly find you're over the limit. Not
only does speeding play a huge role in teen driver crashes,
it's also a great way to invite a ticket, which could
put your license at risk. Plus, speeding penalties in
some states can run several hundred dollars. Ouch!
Know
the limits of your license. If you have an intermediate
license, you may be restricted to driving at certain times
(some states don't let intermediate license holders drive
during nighttime hours, for example). You may also be
limited in the number of passengers you can take with
you. And, if you're driving through other states, be sure
you know their laws before you hit the road.
Plan
your trip ahead of time so you can concentrate on the
road, not the map. If you're driving with friends, ask
one of them to navigate. And be prepared to handle emergencies.
Your basic roadside safety supplies should include a flashlight,
a first aid kit, jumper cables, and a spare tire and flat
repair kit that are in working order. And don't forget
to check that you have your insurance information and
vehicle registration card with you before hitting the
road. (You can get a ticket for driving without your registration
card.)
Family Road Trips
Family vacations can be challenging enough without long, tedious drives. Be sure to bring plenty of boredom-beating entertainment on the road. In addition to your CD player, have you thought about a DVD setup? If your family's vehicle doesn't have an in-car video system, you may be able to rent one. And when all else fails, your cell phone's text messaging feature offers a great way to keep friends updated on your vacation experience.
If you have your license, ask your folks about sharing the driving. It gives them a break - and gives you a reason to escape the back seat when Fido's looking a little green. If you have your learner's permit - and your parents are willing to let you drive - family road trips are a great way to rack up the hours needed for your license. (If you'll be crossing state lines, though, be sure to check out whether other states allow you to drive.)
The prospect of cramming your family into a small space, adding wheels, and multiplying the experience by hours may seem downright horrifying. But you never know - the open road could lead to open minds. Perhaps you'll find you communicate better with parents and siblings away from the daily grind. At the very least, you can sit back, observe, and learn a lot about how your family interacts.
(Source: KidsHealth.org) |