How to be a safe and better driver

A new study that followed more than 150,000 teen drivers over eight years has found that drivers ed significantly reduces crashes and traffic violations among new drivers.

Young drivers who have not completed drivers ed are 75 percent more likely to get a traffic ticket, 24 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal or injury accident and 16 percent more likely to have an accident, the study showed.Those findings challenge more than three decades of assumptions about the value of drivers ed. After an early 1980s study that questioned the effectiveness of drivers ed classes, many states quit paying for those programs. Some insurance companies discontinued offering premium discounts for drivers ed.

Researchers Duane Shell and Ian Newman of the Nebraska Prevention Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln compiled the driving records of 151,800 Nebraska youth who obtained their provisional operators permit between 2003 and 2010.About 53 percent of the teens took a state-approved drivers ed course to qualify for the permit. The remainder qualified by logging 50 hours of practice driving under the supervision of a parent or other adult. During their first year of driving, the group who took drivers ed had significantly fewer accidents and traffic tickets than the group that logged driving hours without formal driving instruction. Cars are amazing machines. They provide freedom and comfortable transport, capable of moving a family hundreds of miles with just a tank of gasoline. But, they are also massive metal projectiles, essentially Weapons of Mobile Destruction (WMDs) filled with flammable liquid and often your loved ones.

Keeping them safe and the ride enjoyable should be paramount for all drivers.The risks are real. For 2013, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recorded 5,687,000 police-reported crashes, with 2,313,000 injuries and 32,719 fatalities. Allstate insurance has put a different perspective on the numbers, finding that drivers average about one accident per decade.There are simple steps that can be taken to reduce your risks, as outlined below. The key points are to obey the traffic laws, be predictable, avoid distractions, drive rested, and steer clear of alcohol and drugs.

Do this, and you’ll help make the roads safer for all. I have had an incident where I was driving significantly over the speed limit, while using my cellphone. When I looked up from my cell phone, the distance from the car in front of me was closing considerably fast, and as a result I had to brake very hard, and I had to dodge the car, which resulted in me crashing into a nearby palm tree. My friend was also in a similar situation , but he crashed into a car on an intersection, but thankfully , he was ok. What I learned from these incidents was that you need to pay your full attention to the road and follow the laws strictly, as they could save your lives and reduce problems and save you a lot of money. These are some things you can do to be a better and safer driver:

1. 1. Focus on driving. Keep your attention and eyes on the road. No-multi-tasking while driving, put all the distractions away and focus on what is happening around you.


2. Plan Ahead. Everyone is always running late which can cause high speeds and distracted driving. Wake up a little bit earlier so you can leave for your commute a few minutes earlier. Doing so will help you slow down. Give yourself some extra time in case there are accidents on your route, or you need to stop for gas along the way.


3. In the case of an accident, focus your eyes on where to go. When spinning out of control, focus your eyes on where you want your car to be rather than the object that it might hit. Because of hand-eye coordination, if your eyes are looking right then, your vehicle will also go right.


4. Maintain control when tires blow out. Try your best to keep the car driving in a straight line and slow your speed. Have two hands on the wheel and pull over to a safe place when able. Don’t slam on the brakes or try to speed during this time, it can cause worse damage to your tire and can make maintaining control harder.


5. Go the speed limit. It seems pretty simple, but the speed limit signs are there for a reason; to protect you and others on the road. If you are speeding more damage can be caused when an accident does occur. Remember: it is okay to maintain the correct speed limit and let others pass by you.


6. Get your road rage under control. Road rage can cause unnecessary aggressive driving. Take a deep breath and cool down before taking out your anger on the road or other vehicles/drivers around you.


7. Pay Attention to the weather. During inclement weather, drive at slower speeds to avoid skidding on ice or hydroplaning. Turn your lights on day or night when it is raining or if there is fog. Remember: when the weather is terrible, go easy on the brakes to maintain better control over your vehicle.


8. Look both ways at an intersection. It only takes a few seconds to look both ways before going again after the light turns green. Before you cross, take a quick peak left and right to be sure that no other cars are coming through the intersection.


9. Keep your distance. No one likes a tailgater. The rule of thumb is to be three seconds apart from the car in front of you. Double that amount if there happens to be bad weather. Don’t underestimate the amount of stopping distance you need between yourself and the car in front of you.


10. Grip the steering wheel correctly. Keep your hands at 10 and 2. Keeping a good grip on the wheel is helpful when avoiding hazards on the road.


11. Stay alert and awake. If you do find yourself feeling sleepy, the best thing to do is pull over and take a short nap. If you recognize you are too tired before you drive then it is best to stay home and avoid being behind the wheel at all. If you can’t avoid driving, think about opening a window to feel the breeze or singing along to a song to help keep you alert.


12. Wear your seatbelt the right way. Make sure the lap and shoulder belt is snug and that you are wearing the lap part of the seatbelt on your hips. Seatbelts are there to protect you and others from being thrown from the car if an accident happens. Wearing it saves lives, so just do it.


13. Pay attention to the flow of traffic. Sometimes signs are helpful, but just because a light or a sign is saying you have the right away, doesn’t always mean that is what is actually happening. Focus on the traffic flow and what other drivers are doing too.


14. Pick the right music station. Calming music can help keep you calm on the road. But intense music can distract you and not keep you as focused as you should be. Fiddling with your radio station or music is extremely distracting while driving, so be sure to set your tunes before you start your trip.


15. Look as far ahead as you can. You should try and focus your eyes past the first few cars in front of you. Doing so will keep you prepared for what is ahead.


16. Keep your headlights on. Driving with your lights on during the day can help others be more aware of you on the road.


17. Use your parking brake more. If you don’t use it regularly, your parking brake can stop working correctly. Parking breaks prevent your call from rolling when parked on an incline. They can also act as an emergency brake if your regular brakes stop working.


18. Don’t break during a tire blow out. If you lay on the brakes when you have a tire blow out, it can potentially cause your car to flip into another vehicle or median. Do the opposite of what you think, hit the gas slightly and try to stay as straight as possible.


19. No Drinking and Driving. Although this seems like it should be common sense, there are many people out there that do decide to get behind the wheel after they have had one too many drinks. Do yourself and all of us a favor and call a rideshare or cab.


20. Put your phone away. Our phones are very big distractions. Newer phones have the drive mode feature, where it will answer a text from a friend back saying that you are driving right now. The best way to avoid looking at your phone is putting it out of sight.