In the last post, we discussed one of the biggest, if not the biggest, mistake for teenage drivers to avoid at all costs: distracted driving. As we mentioned in the last post, at any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving, and distracted driving continues to be a major threat to teenage drivers’ safety. However, there are several other mistakes you should teach your teen to avoid during their driving education and beyond. Here’s part two of our guide that will address some more common driving mistakes that teenagers and other beginners should avoid at all costs.
Over-Correcting
A lot of serious driving errors are against the law, such as driving under the influence, and for good reason. However, over-correcting isn’t against the law, but it is a critical mistake that can be difficult to avoid simply because it completely goes against natural human instinct. There are many driving situations that call for an instant, and fast, reaction from drivers: wheels sliding during inclement weather, an animal in the road, or a person who runs out in front of their vehicle. To avoid a crash in these situations, a driver will have to act fast to swerve out of the way. They may also need to swerve again to try to avoid drifting into the other lane or otherwise getting into an accident. However, experts say that more often than not, the over-correction is what actually causes the accident.
“At times, you must swerve your car or quickly correct the direction of your wheels. Many times, teen drivers over-compensate in these situations, and make a dangerous situation worse by losing control of their car. It’s difficult to master emergency handling skills, but you can easily learn to anticipate dangerous situations, which will limit the need to apply these emergency skills,” writes DMV.org.
Unfortunately, it’s very easy to over-correct in the heat of the moment. As such, teens should be proactively coached on the importance of making little adjustments, even in emergency situations.
Speeding
Even a driver without much experience may be tempted to speed in hopes of showing off in front of their friends or getting a bit of an ego boost. However, in addition to getting the driver pulled over, this can make it harder to accurately judge how and when to stop. Even with sharp reflexes, a speeding driver doesn’t always have the vehicular control to avoid an accident. Sometimes, it will be literally impossible to stop in time. Speed limit signs are in place for a reason: to keep drivers safe. Don’t be afraid to let your teen know that you absolutely will not tolerate any speeding when they’re behind the wheel.
Ultimately, avoiding these major mistakes provides a great start toward keeping your teen safe on the road as well as a responsible driver. For more information about criminal law, what to do when being charged with a crime, or criminal defense law firms, contact Greene Ketchum.
