Texas Driver Safety and Training

Many teens are so excited to get their driver's licenses that much of the training they received prior to licensure is quickly forgotten. But it's important for new drivers to follow the fundamental rules of the road, and adapting speed to conditions is one rule that's frequently broken.

Driving too fast for conditions is considered speeding and can result in a traffic ticket. But that's not the only reason to slow down - driving too fast for conditions is a contributing cause of many motor vehicle crashes. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15- to 20-year-olds (based on 2005 figures, which are the latest mortality data currently available from the National Center for Health Statistics).

A 2009 analysis of speeding-related crashes by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that following the speed limit is not enough to prevent a crash when conditions warrant a reduction in speed. The study showed that in speeding-related crashes that caused one or more injuries, 26% of the crashes were contributed to be exceeding the posted speed limit, while 74% were due to driving too fast for conditions. In property-damage-only crashes where speed was a contributing factor, 18% of the crashes were due to exceeding the posted speed limit and 82% of the crashes were contributed to by driving too fast for conditions. Drivers should reduce their speed:

• immediately when it begins to rain
• when roads are slippery due to snow or ice
• in foggy or smoky conditions
• before a curve
• in construction zones
• around school zones and playgrounds
• at night

It's also important to monitor your speed carefully on rural roadways with higher speed limits.

Passengers may encourage the driver to travel at or above the speed limit. Resisting this pressure is an important exercise in maturity for teen drivers and is an integral part of keeping their driver's licenses. Unfortunately, it could even be a life-and-death matter.

Labels: dismiss traffic ticket, drivers license, speed limit, speeding ticket

The one part of our first driving test we all dreaded most was the parallel parking portion and even drivers with years of experience still have a problem with it. It really isn’t all that difficult; all it takes is a little practice.

Parallel parking is a situation that is full of potential for collisions, both major and minor. The first step to avoid a collision is to let other drivers know your intentions. When approaching a parking spot, check your rear view mirrors for traffic behind. Drivers behind probably aren't expecting you to slow and stop. Stopping quickly without warning is an invitation to a rear end collision. If a car behind is following too closely, look for another parking spot. Warn drivers behind you by lightly tapping your brakes two or three times. Turn on your right turn signal and slow down gently.

Once you have warned other drivers, slowed to a stop, and determined that the parking space is large enough for your car, follow these steps to park:

• Pull up within two to three feet next to the car in the space ahead. Your rear bumper should be even with the rear bumper of the other car.
• Shift into reverse, turn your steering wheel sharply to the right and slowly start to back up.
• Start straightening the wheel when your passenger seat is even with the rear bumper of the other car.
• Continue backing and turn your wheel sharply to the left once the front of your car has cleared the car ahead.
• Once you feel you are parallel with the curb, turn your wheel sharply to the right to straighten the wheels.
• Stop your car before you hit the car behind.
• Shift into drive and straighten up your car in the space. You should be no more than 12 to 18 inches away from the curb.

If you live in a location where you have to parallel park a lot, you may want to consider getting a backup warning sensor as an option on your next car purchase. Just remember that they can be unreliable sometimes and don't rely on them too heavily. Backup video cameras are also available at around $100 at some of the major big box stores.

For a video demonstration of parallel parking:



For more information on driving safety, visit our website at http://www.nationalsafetycommission.com/

Labels: backup cameras, collision, driver safety, drivers license, driving test, parallel parking

The goal of a comprehensive driver education course is to give a new driver the skills to safely operate a vehicle, and passing the road test on the first try is a sign that the important lessons have been learned and that the student capable of driving the vehicle safely.

Focus on the right areas is what would give a student the absolute best chance of passing the road test on the first try.

Master control of the vehicle. Knowing what every knob, switch, and control in the vehicle is for and how to use it, hopefully without taking your eyes off the road. Knowing exactly how much to turn the wheel to put the car where you want it to go, knowing the exact pressure to be applied on the pedals and how that will affect the vehicle’s acceleration/deceleration. Mastery of all the vehicle’s controls will guarantee a level of success when it comes to driving but it’s only part of the equation.

Observe the rules of the road. Knowing the rules of the road is the other part of that equation. Knowing what every sign means and how that sign will impact your driving. Signs are located alongside and above the roadway and they are painted on the roadway itself. You should also know what to do when there are no signs. What is the maximum speed on a residential street when there are no speed limit signs posted? Where do you stop when there are no crosswalks or stop lines painted on the roadway? Before you take your road test you'll need to complete the drivers license knowledge test. One way to help you learn the road signs and road rules is to take a drivers license practice test.

Follow safe driving practices. Of course knowing just the two items above is the bare minimum of being truly able to drive a vehicle. What completes it is learning/practicing both items with safety always in mind. Knowing how to share the roadway with trucks, buses, and motorcycles, keeping a safe following distance or knowing what the proper procedures are when someone is tailgating you. Watching the roadway for hidden hazards such as children playing near the roadway or cars parked along the road that could pull out in front of you. Keeping watch and always having an escape route ready should an emergency occur. Starting to build that experience begins as soon as you fasten your seat belt in the driver’s seat for the first time.

Teaching all of these tips is the goal of every driver education program, but even the best driving school can only do so much. The rest comes from the student’s willingness to learn to be a good, safe driver. A calm, confident attitude and willingness and enthusiasm in learning all the safe driving tips are the keys for a new driver to pass the road test on the first try.

Labels: drivers license, driving skills, driving test, road test