Yes, your parents have drilled this into your head since you got behind the wheel, but have you learned it or are you still stuck in the “I know it all” stage.  As young adults you have a lot more experience than you did when you were in high school and I’m sure you may have experienced a few close calls. Let’s look at the top 7 things you should have learned and executed by now.

7. Driving is a Privilege

If a person violates the law, the state won’t hesitate to revoke the license at the drop of a hat. This even includes so called “minor” things such as having a DUI or an accident without having adequate auto insurance. Too many teens think that they are just going to drive without any sort of penalties, no matter what they do. The worst time to find out that this is a false assumption is when they receive a court-mandated license suspension that lasts until they’re 21 (or even longer).

6. Insurance is Expensive

Statistically, the younger you are, the higher risk of getting into accidents, so insurance is more expensive than that of more experienced drivers.  Also, many insurance companies don’t even want to deal with drivers under a certain age to avoid such hassles. This lack of supply also drives up the price that you end up paying. If you are a bad driver your rates will stay high even as you grow older. You should know how to shop, compare, and pay for your insurance on time.

5. Buckle Everyone’s Seat Belt

Everyone in the car needs to buckle up every single time. The punishment for getting into an accident and not wearing your seat belt is a much higher likelihood of death. The punishment for allowing a friend to ride without a seat belt buckled may very well be losing that friend and dealing with the guilt of such a loss.

4. Concentrate on the Road

It’s very easy to get distracted behind the wheel. Cell phone, radio, food, makeup, friends, animals, … we can go on for days. It is during these few distracted seconds when accidents happen. It’s extremely important to focus on driving safely and following the relevant laws, as opposed to whatever else feels important at the time. Get into the habit of asking yourself, “Can I wait until the next stop light to ____”.

3. Avoid Combining Booze with Driving

Some people start to drink alcohol in their teens and continue to do so. True? Yes, we all know that drinking reduces the ability to drive effectively and react well, but the wise one’s heed this warning by focusing on survival. What’s the point of learning to have fun and making friends if you plan on killing yourself by driving drunk?

2. Stay Within the Speed Limit

Most people see the speed limit as the absolute minimum speed to be driven. However, going above the speed limit at all (especially on curves and during slick conditions) can make it much more difficult to avoid potential hazards through swerving or stopping.

1. Drive Defensively

This means that avoiding an accident is the surest way to protect oneself from the damage it tends to inflict. Leave ample space between your car and the car ahead of you. Keep an eye out for a place to steer toward if something unexpected should happen. Sooner or later, things like that always do occur. If it is inevitable to crash, hit the object that is most likely to move. You don’t want to hit a concrete wall or a large tree, you will suffer full impact.

Oh, so you already knew this? Then why are you still doing it? Still texting while driving? Still doing your mascara on the go? Still speeding? It’s better to get an angry honk because you are going too slow than to end up paying tickets, landing int he hospital, or six feet under. But then again, you already know all of that.

Your texting while driving alternative.

Of all of the bad driving habits we’ve seen over the years, e.g. applying make-up while cruising down the interstate, reading the newspaper or eating a sandwich while tooling around town, the most dangerous of them all seems to be texting while driving. Indeed, the practice has become so prevalent–and deadly–that talk show diva Oprah has taken it up as her cause célèbre, advocating the banning of the practice.

Texting Banned

On the state level, 30 states are now or soon will be banning texting while driving with Delaware recently passing a ban that will kick in on January 2, 2011. That isn’t likely to satisfy critics who want to see the practice banned nationally and are pushing the remaining state legislators and jurisdictions to enact similar restraints.

One automaker, however, thinks a different approach is worth exploring. Specifically, the Ford Motor Company is updating its SYNC technology to enable text messaging and give drivers more control over how messages are received and sent. SYNC is the company’s in-car communications and entertainment system developed with Microsoft. Since it was first offered in 2008, Ford has made numerous changes to the technology including offering SYNC across its entire model line.

SYNC Improvements

On the driver experience side of things, Ford is revising the SYNC text message readback feature by giving drivers a “Do Not Disturb” button so they can choose the level of connectivity and communications they want while driving. In addition, Ford is taking the initiative to “lock-out” capabilities that are not relevant to the task of driving while the vehicle is in motion.

Commenting about these changes was John Schneider, Ford’s chief engineer of Ford multimedia and infotainment engineering. “Text messaging has become the default communications method for consumers of all ages. The power of SYNC voice control combined with Ford’s latest connectivity improvements will reduce the temptation to pick up the phone and take your eyes off the road, providing a safer solution for the use of mobile devices in the car.”

2011 Models

The SYNC enhancements aren’t available for current or older Ford models, but the automaker says that the technology will be part of every 2011 vehicle equipped with MyFord or MyLincoln Touch. Ford calls these systems its, “…intuitive driver connect technology that provides drivers personalized access to information and entertainment through voice control, touch screens and familiar five-way controls mounted on the steering wheel.”

Of course, not everyone is in the position to buy a new car nor will everyone consider Ford solely for the ability to text while driving. But, for hard-core text message senders please do everyone a favor by quitting your texting or go out and buy a properly equipped Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle.

Source: Ford Motor Company

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Another concern for parents is the traveling that students must do from campus to home, travel
which can take many hours, even days if the student lives far away. Not everyone flies home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring break, with many students choosing to drive many miles to reach their destinations.

Winter presents one of the most challenging – and worrisome – times for parents especially for children who must drive when roads are wet, icy, or snow packed. Having a cell phone handy is a must and a good navigation system with an emergency aid feature can certainly be helpful. But there isn’t anything more important than making sure that the car is truly road ready.

“Preparing your vehicle for winter is critical for safe driving throughout the season,” said Denise Champagne, marketing manager, OSRAM SYLVANIA. “It’s important to make sure headlights are a part of seasonal maintenance.”

As part of the company’s outreach initiative to drivers, Osram Sylvania is urging people to prepare their cars now before taking a trip. Millions of students will be streaming home for Thanksgiving with countless more making a second trip at Christmas. Both holidays can mean one thing: treacherous road conditions. Therefore, before your child heads back home, you’ll want to make sure that the following tips are followed to ensure their safe return:

• “Winterize” your vehicle. Change the engine lubricant to synthetic oil, change to winter wiper blades, flush your cooling system with fresh coolant/antifreeze, fill the washer fluid reservoir with de-icer washer fluid and carry an emergency safety kit.

• Drive with your lights on. If daytime visibility is limited, turn on your headlights to be seen by other drivers. When traveling in snowy weather, remember to brush off your taillights, turn signals and headlamps.

• Change headlights in pairs before they burn out. Most headlights dim up to 20 percent over time so evaluate yours every year for optimum performance. The end of daylight savings time is a perfect yearly reminder.

• Upgrade to high performance halogen lighting. SYLVANIA SilverStar(R) ULTRA bulbs are up to 50 percent brighter and increase down road visibility by up to 40 percent when compared to worn standard bulbs. Studies have shown that whiter, brighter halogen lighting can improve reaction time, increase nighttime visibility and provide better roadside viewing.

• Check headlight alignment. Misaligned headlights can be distracting and dangerous. Ask your auto service technician to align them for you.

• Clean headlight lenses regularly. Wash headlight lenses when you wash your windshield. You’ll see better at night and in poor weather conditions.

• Make sure all vehicle lights are working. Have a friend turn on your headlights and signal lights while you walk around the outside of your vehicle.

• Check your tire pressure regularly. Whether you park inside or outside, you will lose a pound of tire pressure for every 10 degrees of outside temperature change.

• Adjust your speed. By decreasing your speed you allow yourself more time to respond in bad weather.

• Brake carefully. When roads are slippery, brake in a straight line before a curve in the road. Lift your foot from the brake before you steer into a corner. This allows you to steer and not slide through the corner. Don’t accelerate away from the corner until the steering wheel is again straight.

The way that this season is shaping up, more than likely it’ll be snowy and icy, two hazards that can be handled, especially if your child’s car is in winter running order.

Source: OSRAM SYLVANIA