One statistic that should be on the mind of every teenage driver's parent is this: While teens drive fewer miles than any age group except senior citizens, they have the highest accident rate of anyone on the road.
The reasons for that are varied, studies have shown. However, according to a recent poll of professional driving instructors, teens make five major mistakes behind the wheel: they don't look far enough ahead down the road; they're distracted by passengers, cell phones, music and the like; they speed and follow other cars too closely; they don't use the brakes properly; and they make incorrect seating and steering adjustments.
"Teenagers can frequently get themselves into a situation that they don't know how to handle and they can panic and do something very dangerous," said Jeanne Salvatore of the Insurance Information Institute. "They can hurt themselves or someone else."
Advanced driving instruction may be the remedy.
For example, at BMW's Performance Center Driving School in Spartanburg, S.C., teens skid, spin and swerve their way to becoming better drivers through several heart-pounding exercises in a BMW 3 Series car. In this safe, controlled environment, youths build confidence and have fun sharpening their skills on a professional course.
The instructors there offer these safety tips:
- Keep your eyes on the horizon, looking about three cars ahead for potential situations.
- Stay focused on the road and your surroundings.
- Buckle up and heed the speed limit. The faster you go, the longer it takes you to stop.
- Learn how to use your brakes properly.
- Adjust your seat, and side-and rear-view mirrors properly.
Teens can build confidence, sharpen their skills and have fun in the safe, controlled environment of an advanced driving school.
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