Texas Driver Safety and Training

• Due to their limited driving experience, teens often have difficulty handling emergency situations; for example, they might try to pass a driver who keeps drifting into their lane.
• Teens may have trouble recognizing when other drivers might be impaired and neglect to allow an adequate space cushion between their vehicle and the vehicles of those drivers.
• Teens often have poor impulse control, which could lead them into playing traffic games with aggressive or impaired drivers, such as racing from one traffic light to another.

• their vehicle is straddling two lanes
• they have a close call, such as nearly hitting a parked car
• they make wide, clumsy turns
• they are traveling well below the speed limit (10 mph or more)
• they are following too closely
• they are braking erratically or stopping at inappropriate places (such as at an intersection with a green traffic light)
• their headlights aren't on at night, or they leave their turn signal on for a prolonged time

• Always wear your safety belt. This is your best defense against impaired drivers.
• Obey the speed limit. Driving too fast means drivers have less space to respond to hazards.
• Avoid being distracted from watching the road by noisy passengers, loud music, or using a cell phone.
• Maintain an adequate space cushion on all sides between your vehicle and other vehicles. If you notice someone driving erratically, increase your space cushion.
• Observe the behavior of other drivers, but keep your eyes moving; don't get so distracted that you miss another hazard.

Labels: driver safety, driving hazards, driving while intoxicated, impaired driver, seat belt safety