20 Safety Driving Tips for Newly Licensed Teen Drivers in Richardson

Getting a ticket for any traffic offense can appear inconsequential to some people especially teen drivers, but the truth is that the ripple effects of this seemingly routine occurrence can be far reaching. For instance, the frequency of the ticketing you get will not only reflect poorly on your driving record, but it will also negatively affect your auto insurance rate. And did you know that in Richardson city like everywhere else in Texas, any citations you get makes you a candidate for a course in approved driving safety?

Simple things like the strict conditions imposed upon you when you are charged with a traffic offense can make life needlessly stressful because any citations on your driving can only be dismissed after you have satisfactorily taken the approved safety course. However, you first need to get permission from the court before you can take the driving course, and there are other financial penalties associated with the process such as payment of the administrative fee and the court costs that you must make.  And something else - reckless driving can lead to your death or leave you with permanent disability. These are not things you want to bargain for under any driving circumstance.

What we are talking about here are the unnecessary expenses, inconveniences, time wasted, and money spent wrongly for something you can easily avoid by following these safety and defensive driving tips from Cheapest Auto Insurance if you are a newly licensed teen driver in Richardson City.

1. It will take time for you to master several road nuances and have the confidence to drive along any type of road. Equip yourself with a road map of your area so that you can initially drive only on familiar roads to avoid areas with heavy and fast traffic.

2. When you are driving for the first time after acquiring your license, it is advisable to do so in the company of someone more experienced, that is if you can persuade a friend or a relative to accompany you in your vehicle. You can apply the graduated licensing system by having an experienced and licensed driver always with you until you can safely drive alone.

3. Never forget to strap on your seat belt, and if you have any passengers in the car, make sure everyone is wearing their seat belts before you start the vehicle.

4. As well as avoiding other fender benders, do not be one yourself. Practice to drive defensively. Defensive driving is a term that will soon be all too familiar to you. It does not require you to be aggressive and tensed up while you are driving, but it simply means you need to keep an open eye and anticipate what the other drivers around you are doing.

5. Never talk on your cellphone or text while you are driving. Many accidents caused by teen drivers are a result of distracted driving. Your attention cannot be fully on the road and you will not be conscious of the other drivers around you if you are receiving and sending texts or you are chatting. Use your phone only when the car is parked or stationary. Pull off to a parking or side road to make an emergency call.

6. Traffic signs and markings are not decorations. Many drivers get into the habit of ignoring/overlooking the signs with the consequence that they end up speeding where they should not or driving wrongly into a one-way street. Taking note of all the traffic signs will enable you to act and adjust your driving correctly.

7. Do not be a tailgater. Keep a safe distance between you and the next driver in case you have to stop abruptly. It is dangerous to drive too close to another vehicle because the chances of rear-ending it increase if you are too close behind.

8. One cause of many motor vehicle crashes is the state of the weather. If you are not yet competent on the road, do not drive after dark and avoid driving in bad weather.

9. When you are faced with a situation in which you are not sure about what to do in a junction or a four way stop, it is safer to let the other cars have the right of way. Of course the waiting will cost you a few precious minutes, but that is better than pulling off uncertainly and crashing into another car.

10. It is dangerous to blindly follow what the driver in front of you is doing. The other follow might be breaking the rules and if you imitate him/her both of you might end up in an accident. While observing the other drivers, you need to use your discretion.

11. A wrong turn at a light intersection can lead to a terrible accident. Just make sure you that at all the times you obey the traffic lights.

12. While watching out for yourself, you should never forget to lookout for others too.

13. It is easy to bump into another vehicle when you are pulling out of the parking. To avoid that happening, look for a parking that will not force you to back-up first.

14. It is dangerous to drive when you are intoxicated by a drug, you are drunk or sleepy. Any of these conditions will impair you judgment and slow your reaction time.

15. Night driving is better left for when you will have had enough experience on the road.

16. Before you set off in your car, make sure that all the seats and other accessories like side view mirrors and the stereo set are well-adjusted. Any loose objects in the car must be properly secured. A minute of distraction any of them causes may lead to a great loss.

17. Drive below the speed limit in foggy, icy, snowy or rainy conditions. It is better to arrive at your destination later than ending up in a hospital’s casualty department.

18. It is not bad to give your friends a ride, but remember they are not in control of the car. It is you driving and so you should not let their drinking, eating, laughing and banter get to you.

19. A blaring sound system can be as distracting as texting. Keep the volume of your stereo reasonably down.

20. Avoid the impulse of competing with other drivers. Remember, they have been on the road much longer than you. It is best for you to drive in ways that fit your level of experience and the prevailing traffic conditions. Driving fast to impress others will only land you in trouble.

The tips above might seem all too obvious, but forgetting any of them may be all it takes to get you involved in a nasty accident. For your safety and that of other road users,  at Cheapest Auto Insurance we insist you must always keep the tips in mind. Most importantly, never drive if you do not have proof of financial responsibility or an active car insurance policy.