15 August 2016 · Motoring Tips & Advice
Driving Safety Tips for Your Teen | Phil Gilbert Toyota
Choose a Safe Car
When it comes to choosing a car to let your teenager drive, you want to find the safest one possible. Look for a car brand that has great crash test ratings and a model that has all the latest safety features. If you can afford it, a car that offers a rear-view camera is useful for inexperienced drivers, while you should opt for at least 6 airbags. Some good Toyotas for the job, for example, are the Toyota Yaris and the Toyota Camry. Added safety benefits like Lane Departure Alert or Rear Cross Traffic Alert are great for new drivers, and you can find them in the Toyota Prius.
Keep the Phone Away
Using your mobile while driving is considered to be the equivalent of driving while drunk. While it seems obvious to keep away from your phone while driving, mobiles are so commonplace and such a large part of the younger generation that they find it difficult to put it down and keep it down for even the few minutes of driving.
Texting while driving can cause a loss of focus on the road for a total of 4.6 seconds. A lot can happen in that time and you don’t want your teen finding out just what.
Learn When to Use Headlights
In the early mornings and early evenings, you may not feel as though you need your lights due to the sun’s visibility. However, these are times when you could really benefit from not only increased visibility but also being able to help other drivers see you. Equally, there are times where it’s important not to use your headlights – especially your high beams – for your safety and that of other drivers.
Always remember, headlights are a two-way conversation and everyone is affected.
Minimise Distractions
Playing loud music and eating or drinking while you drive can be very dangerous distractions. If you must listen to music while you drive, the best thing would be to find a car that offers an easy to operate display, like the Toyota RAV4’s touchscreen display and satellite navigation. In early lessons, it’s a good idea to avoid music altogether but phasing it in can be a good idea. Sometimes, we need to know how to drive with those background distractions.
Be a Defensive Driver
Being a defensive driver doesn’t mean that you can have road rage; it means that you should practice actively paying attention to the cars in front of you, next to you and behind you. This way you are always aware of a possible escape in the event of a crash or emergency. Make sure to stay at least the full length of one car in front of you when you’re moving at slower speeds. Give yourself a bigger buffer if you’re moving at faster speeds.
For more information about safety driving tips for your teen, or to speak to a sales rep about the safest Toyota for your family, contact Phil Gilbert Toyota in Sydney today.
