Be the Most Confident Parent with These Teen Driving Safety Tips

Lindsey Lohan is coming of age rather with a bang; the incident of her car crash under the influence of alcohol is getting splashed all over media quite prominently. This incident teaches us about the social aspect of teen driving which is getting more and more reckless day by day.

If you happen to be the parent of teenage children who are about to hit the crazy age of seventeen, you might be worried over such questions as:

What to do to ensure safe teenage driving?

What safeguards to adopt to shield them against fatal driving errors?

How to make responsible drivers out of them?

Well, you have come to the right place to find answers to your questions!

1. The first thing to remember

Don’t allow your child to hit the roads immediately as he comes wide eyed, running to you with a driving license. Make sure you spend at least ten hours with him behind the wheel before he set out for his all-alone driving expedition.

It is always worth paying for Extra Driver Training as it helps him get to the real-world driving situations.

2. Make sure it’s not too late

Another lesson from the Lindsey Lohan case: don’t allow your child to go roaming in the car too late at night, as most of the accidents take place in the evening.

3. Keep track of her whereabouts

Keep an eye on your child’s friends; most of the teen car accidents happen because of young people’s tendency to be influenced by their peer group.

4. Set an example yourself

Before preaching at your child, ask yourself; are you a safe driver?

Remember, apart from drug or alcohol influence a number of accidents happen due to lack of concentration, receiving mobile phone calls, chatting with companions, not abiding by the speed limits, forgetting to fasten your seat belt and so on. Be a role model for your child by not making these fatal mistakes.

5. Teach him to be responsible

Make your child see the difference between rights and privilege;  Get her accustomed to the costs of driving including the insurance costs. The sense that driving comes for a price will prevent her making mistakes that may prove costly in terms of insurance prices and maintenance of the car.

6. Teach her to take care

The driver must be aware of the basic maintenance of his car; get your child introduced to the driver’s bible, the maintenance manual of the vehicle. The earlier the boy/girl is introduced to preventive maintenance of the car, the more money can be saved during his/her lifetime of driving.

7. But what if any accident takes place after all?

Teach them not to panic in case of a breakdown or accident; give him proper instruction about whom to contact in such situations.

Driving is essentially associated with the feel of freedom. But not absolute freedom! Make this clear to your teenager before handing him the key.

Try not to worry as it will make the young driver unconfident and nervous. Follow the above mentioned tips and trust your child.

Prevention is better than cure and this should be your ‘mantra’ if you don’t want to be the next victim of car theft network that is active all over the world. Here is a statistic for you!

a vehicle is stolen every 27 seconds in a country like USA!

If motor vehicle departments of many countries are to be believed, over millions of cars are going to be stolen this year. But you are definitely not going to be one of those unfortunate car owners if you keep in mind the following tips:

Never forget these words LOCK and KEY

• Over fifty percent of the car thefts occur due to driver’s forgetfulness; either he leaves the car running, or he forgets the key in the ignition or sometimes forgets to lock the garage door or the door of the car itself.
• Make sure you roll up your windows, take the key and lock the door before leaving the car unattended.

Parking safety

• Attended car parks are safer than the unattended ones
• Make sure the car park is well lit
• The wheels should be turned toward the side in driveways in the parking position so that it can’t be easily towed away.

If you are leaving the car for an extended period of time, disable it by removing the electronic ignition fuse, coil wire, rotor distributor.

Don’t make it easy for the thief
Don’t leave the registration documents inside the Car. If you do this, it will make life easier for the thief who will use these documents to sell your stolen car. Preserve the title in a safe place at home.

Invest in Antitheft devices
To top your antitheft measure, invest in a range of antitheft devices for ultimate protection. The common antitheft devices include:

• Fuel-kill switches
• Ignition-kill switches
• Car alarms
• Steering wheel locks
• Immobilizers
• Glass sensors
• Radio receivers/transmitters

Make sure, all the devices are installed properly; otherwise it may affect the car’s electrical system. It will be prudent to seek the help of a professional in this case.

Never leave valuables in plain view, even if your car is locked.

Also check with vehicle theft tracking/security system to know whether your model belongs to the frequently stolen car model list.

Get the VIN number etched on the windows

Lastly, don’t get upset if the worst happens despite all your precautions: Inform the police as fast as possible including the location and time of the theft.

Tyres are your only point of contact that your car has with the road surface. You must not ignore the condition of your Tyres. If you do you could put yourself and your passengers at risk. Not to mention other road users. Black Circles suggest that you should check your Tyres at least once a month.

Recent surveys show that around a qurter of vehicles had tread depths of less than 2mm. Tyre performance and in particular braking deteriorates dramatically below 2mm. One tenth of vehicles actually had illegal tyres.

Why check your tyres?

• you are not insured when driving on illegal tyres
• Worn tyres significantly impede the performance of your car.
• worn tyre reduces the effectiveness of braking, steering, and acceleration.

What should you check?

The Tyre Industry Council have devised a five point tyre check:

1. Check overall condition of tyres, including inner and outer sidewalls.
2. Check tyre tread depth.
3. Check tyre pressures.
4. Check signs of irregular wear
5. Check and examine the spare tyre - this is often forgotten until it’s too late!

Tyre Pressure

An under inflated tyre may not actually look flat. To be on the safe side you should check tyre pressures once a fortnight and especially before long journeys. To find out what pressure your particular tyres should be at check your car maunal. tyre pressures should be checked when your tyres are cold so don’t check them after a long drive and ideally leave them an hour to cool after driving. Driving on over or under inflated tyres can effect the car handling and also increase wear on your tyres.

Tyre Tread Depth

The legal limit is 1.6mm over 75% of the tyre however at this level you won’t have an ideal amount of grip. It’s widely recommended that you replace your tyres before they are less than 2mm. As well as being a safety issue you can also be fined up to £2,500 for having bald tyres.

Wheel Balancing

An unbalanced wheel will cause an annoying shake and can cause mechanical damage. Your wheel should always be balanced after changing a trye.

Wheel Alignment

If your tyre wears unevenly then it could be due to incorrect tyre pressure but it could also be due to incorrect wheel alignment.

This article is published with kind permission from Black Circles

Autumn and Winter are on their way, along with some pretty wild weather. Everything from heavy rain to sleet, snow and ice can be expected through the months of October to April. During this time, your car will be expected to transport you around safely, so here are some tips to help ensure your vehicle remains safe.

Organise an emergency kit containing the following

Winter Emergency Kit

1. Battery jump leads
2. Torch and spare batteries
3. First aid kit
4. Blankets and warm clothing
5. Battery-powered radio
6. Basic tool kit
7. Bottled water and non-perishable food
8. Roadside safety flares
9. Lock and windscreen de-icer
10. Windscreen ice scraper

• Allow an extra 10 minutes in the morning to defrost and warm up your vehicle before you leave.
• Clear all the windows and mirrors of snow and ice – for maximum visibility.
• Take snow off the roof, as it could fall off as you drive and be a hazard to other motorists.
• Ensure you have a suitable spare tyre and wheel brace.
• Use the car cigarette lighter to warm a key to use in a frozen lock.
• Take main roads, avoiding any back roads that may not have been gritted.
• Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged.
• Allow yourself extra time to get to your destination if the weather is very bad, and tell someone when you are likely to get there.

It is likely through the winter months that you will encounter some flood water, either as large puddles on the road, or where a river/stream has burst its banks.

Take a different route where possible.

Never drive through flood water when you cannot see the ground under the water. It could be far deeper than you imagine, and if it is a river in flood there is a danger you and your vehicle could be swept away.

• On encountering flood water, get out and check the depth. Water which comes above the bottom edge of your door can cause problems with the engine. Water can get splashed up into the engine compartment, leading to stalling.
• Drive slowly. Put your vehicle in 1st gear and maintain a very slow, steady speed. If you hit flood water at speed you will first lose control, then come to an abrupt stop.
• If you do stall in deep water, get someone to tow you out. If you are unsure of the depth of the water, or if it is moving water, stay in the vehicle and await rescue. Use your mobile phone to call for assistance.

If you have been driving through flood water, even if your vehicle seems fine, take time to check it over before driving it again.

1. First, walk around your vehicle looking for any obvious scratches, bumps, cracks or things hanging off.
2. Next, check the interior for damage. Look at the upholstery, carpets and door panels for areas of damp. If you find damp patches, don’t be tempted to just leave them to dry out – this will result in a rather unpleasant musty, damp smell. Instead, take your vehicle to a garage and have it professionally cleaned and dried.
3. Check the engine oil and transmission fluid. If the fluid on the dipstick looks diluted, milky or beige, then water has got in. It is advisable not to drive your vehicle at this point, as it may cause further damage to the internal components of the car. Instead, have it towed to your nearest garage for repair.
4. Check the air filter. If it is damp, replace it and change the oil.
5. Take a bit of time to look underneath the vehicle for stuck-on dirt, mud, grass and bits of debris. If you spot any, wash it off as soon as possible to avoid it causing damage to the undercarriage.
6. The brake system is crucial so it is best to take it to your nearest garage to have it professionally checked.
7. Check the lights and indicators for rust and water damage. If there is water in them, replace the bulb.
8. While the engine is running, listen for any abnormal running sounds, and have them checked out as soon as possible.

Remember – It is better to go through the time and costs of checking your vehicle now, rather than wait until the vehicle is in need of greater repair, or causes an accident.

• Aquaplaning is the name given to the occasion where you are driving in wet conditions and your vehicles wheels lose traction.
• It can be difficult to tell when you are aquaplaning, but it often feels as though the steering is non-responsive and the back end is weaving/wobbling.
• It occurs as a combination of speed, tyre pressure, tyre condition and depth of water.
• Avoid aquaplaning by reducing your speed to under 50 mph. Over this speed and you significantly increase your chances of aquaplaning.
• Stay in the tracks of the vehicle in front of you, but stay back by at least 3 seconds.
• Try and stay in the middle lanes, as water will tend to gather in the outside lanes first.
• If you do aquaplane:
  1. Depress the clutch
  2. Put you hazard lights on
  3. Grip the wheel firmly and steer where you want to go (steer into the skid)
  4. Avoid braking/accelerating
  5. Check the rear view mirror for other vehicles getting too close etc.

There will be times when you need to overtake, such as very slow moving vehicles. You may just want to go faster than the vehicle you are currently behind. This is entirely acceptable, but you can make it safer by following some simple rules

Before Overtaking

• Ensure the road (oncoming traffic) is sufficiently clear
• Ensure that the vehicle behind you is not beginning to overtake
• Ensure there is a suitable gap in front of the vehicle you plan to overtake – you should avoid being stuck on the opposite side of the road.

While Overtaking

1. Don’t get too close to the rear of the vehicle you want to overtake
2. Use your mirrors, signal when it is safe to overtake, give a quick sideways glance and start to move out.
3. Move quickly past the vehicle you want to overtake
4. Leave plenty of room – don’t pull back in too near the other vehicle.
5. Always give way to oncoming vehicles.
6. Take extra care at night or when visibility is reduced.
7. You should give motorcyclists, cyclist and horse riders at least as much room as you would give another vehicle
8. You should only overtake on the left if the vehicle is signalling and turning to the right.

Do Not Overtake

• If you would have to cross or straddle any double white lines.
• If you would have to enter an area surrounded by a solid white line.
• If you would have to enter a bus, cycle or tram lane
• After a no overtaking sign
• On the brow of a hill
• Over a hump bridge
• On a corner or a bend
• The vehicle nearest to a pedestrian crossing

If you are Being Overtaken

• Maintain a steady course and speed
• Slow down if necessary
• Never obstruct the path of the overtaking vehicle (speeding up, swerving etc)
• Drop back to maintain the 2 second gap between you and the other vehicle

If you have a large or slow moving vehicle, please do not hold up the traffic
Pull in where it is safe and let other vehicles past

There are a few rules and regulations regarding lights on your vehicle, which all drivers must adhere to:

You Must

• Use headlights at night
• Use headlights when the visibility is seriously reduced
• Ensure that all sidelights and rear lights (including the registration plate lights) are lit at night.

You Must Not

• Use your lights in any way that may dazzle or cause discomfort to other drivers.
• Use front or rear fog lights unless the visibility is seriously reduced.

You Should

• Use dipped lights when driving in dull daytime conditions
• Keep headlights dipped when overtaking, until you are level with the other vehicle
• Slow down/stop safely if you are dazzled by oncoming headlights.

Hazard Lights

Should only be used when stationary, unless you need to warn other motorists of an obstruction/accident ahead.

From the 1st December 2003 it became illegal to use a hand held phone while driving. There is a £30 fixed penalty, with up to £1,000 if convicted in court. There is a fine of £2,5000 for goods lorry drivers, buses or coach drivers.

You cannot use any phones/equipment if they have to be held at any point during the course of making or receiving a call – or any other interactive communication.

There is still the possibility of a fine for using a hands-free kit – if you are found to be distracted and therefore not have proper control of your vehicle.

Texting, internet access and computer phones are also prohibited if you have to hold the phone to use them.

GPS and personal digital assistants are allowed as long as you do not have to hold them.

If your phone rings while you are driving, ignore it until you have pulled over to a safe place. It is best to switch on your voicemail before you travel.

In a traffic jam, or at traffic lights, you are still prohibited from using your phone if you have to hold it. This is unless you are obviously stuck, and your engine is switched off.

Two way radio’s are not included in the legislation – but they can be distracting so it is best to use them while parked.

Research has shown that most car thiefs are opportunists, and therefore can be deterred by taking some simple steps

62% of reported car crime is made up of thefts from cars, so:

• Never leave anything on display in your car
• Always lock all doors and boot.
• When you leave, take your wallet and mobile phone with you (40% of car break- ins involves theft of mobile phone).
• If you cannot take items with you, keep them well hidden.
• Never leave your keys in the ignition, even if you are just at the petrol station.
• When parking use a garage if you have one, and lock both the car and the garage.
• If you do not have a garage or driveway park in a busy, well-lit area.
• In car parks, choose ones that have on-duty attendants and park in a well-lit space that can be seen easily.
• Alarms are effective in preventing theft of the car and items from it. Always use ones approved by the vehicle systems installation board.
• Engine Immobilisers – most new cars have one fitted. They prevent the car from starting. To get one fitted expect to pay around £120.
• Steering Locks can be a useful deterrant and can be bought from most shops and garages.
• Get a lockable petrol cap – thieves will even steal fuel!
• Buy a car stereo that you can remove, and take it with you when you leave the car.
• Etching – this can be useful for older cars. It involves having the last 7 digits of the VIN number etched onto all the windows, windscreens and headlights.
• Invest in locking wheel nuts. These are cheap and easy to use, and prevent your wheels from being stolen.
• If you have a very valuable car, it may be worth getting GPS tracking device fitted. This enables police to track your vehicle wherever it is.

Alarms & Immobilisers

It is usually cost effective to invest in security equipment, unless your vehicle is worth very little. Although most new cars have an alarm or immobiliser fitted (law since 1998), you may want to upgrade it. If so ensure that all devices are Thatcham approved – they have one of the most rigorous test regimes in the world.

To give you an idea of the cost of these devices:

AN550 Thatcham Category 1 Approved Alarm £169.99. Fitting takes 4-5hrs at £150-£175 extra.

M1600 Thatcham Category 2 Approved Transponder Immobiliser £54.99. Fitting cost approx. £80

(examples from www.microscanalarms.co.uk)

If Your Car Is Stolen

• Unless you have seen it being stolen, then you do not need to call 999.
• Call your local police station, and give them the details of the theft.
• Have the details of the car ready – make, model, colour , registration.
• You will be given a crime number for insurance claims.
• If your car is found, it will be kept for forensic examination.
• To get it back, you will have to pay a garage fee (you can claim this back through your insurance)
• If your vehicle is not found, then report it to your insurance company as such and give them your crime number.