{A Guest Post} 4 Tips to Keep Teen Drivers Safe During the 100 Deadly Days On the Road

The sun shines for good times from Memorial Day to Labor
Day (roughly 100 days). However, teen drivers must be extra cautious while driving during this
deadly time of year.

From May to September, celebrations are on the rise and
there’s a carefree spark that matches the sweet weather just about everywhere
you look. And, whether out for a cool outdoor jaunt to the beach, lake, river
or pool with pals, or spending time hanging out at the local mall, summer is
when school is an afterthought and socializing is the norm for teens.

But deathly danger lurks at every intersection, around every
blind curve and on any highway or byway in the U.S. Simply put, the road has
become the dark reaper and it’s coming for teens. Many die in tragic car
crashes during this time of year. And the worst part is that most of these
fatalities are preventable. Take a look some of some of the dangers teens face when the car’s in gear and key driver education tips to help
them steer clear of becoming another statistic.

At this time of year, all kinds of people are flooding the streets,
from road tripping tourists to locals just looking to get away for a few hours.
And the more traffic teens encounter, the more they are at risk of falling prey
to the 100 Deadly Days.

Teen Tip: Try a
slower tack to your driving technique. In other words, give yourself plenty of
time to get places and slow down when you drive. And have good judgment behind
the wheel: make use of your mirrors and be alert for other dangerous drivers. Go
with the SMOG (Signal, Motion, Over the shoulder, Go) technique when changing
lanes, never tailgate, and stay mindful of all traffic laws.

Whether it’s a friend telling you to take your eyes off the
road and ogle a pack of bikini-clad co-eds, a call or text that’s buzzing in
from your boyfriend confirming date night, or a cute dog enjoying shotgun with
his tongue flapping in the wind in the car next to you, distractions may seem
innocent but they’re often the most deadly.

Teen Tip: Keep
your hands at 10 and 2, kiddo. And remind yourself that a moment where you’re
not paying attention to what you’re doing while the car’s in gear can cost you
your life. No matter how small or seemingly insignificant, distractions just
aren’t worth your time.

 Danger #3 – When Darkness Falls

Zombies, vampires and werewolves aren’t coming for you when
the sun goes down. Driving in the dark is what’s dangerous. And it’s not a
suitable environment for newly minted teen drivers. In fact, most fatal teen
crashes happen before the midnight hour.

Teen Tip: Limit
your time on the road after sunset with a goal to park that car for good before
10 p.m.

You’ll learn to become a good driver over time. But it’s a
mistake to think you’re already one because you’ve taken Driver’s Ed and now
have a license. Regardless of what anyone tells you, experience and more time
logged behind the wheel are what lead to results.

Teen Tip: Always
buckle up. It should be the first thing you do before putting the keys in the
ignition. Remember, it’s a dedication to repetition that makes the
professional. And parents should still continue mentoring their teens to make
sure they’re better drivers by supervising them for at least 30 minutes every
week even after they get their license.