Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury on October 20, 2016
Fast Food Restaurant Gives Out Stickers to Encourage Teen Driver Safety
Servers at Sonic fast food restaurants will give out free stickers promoting teen driver safety when parents order food with their teens in Tennessee this week.
According to a report by WKRN.com, the initiative is in partnership with AAA and the Teen Safe Driving Coalition, which is sponsored by the National Safety Council. Each sticker includes the phrase “Practice Driving with Your Teen” and two web URLs that parents can visit to learn more about how to prepare their teens for life behind the wheel.
A spokesperson with AAA says that the stickers are designed to start a conversation between parents and teens about the importance of driver safety. The report goes on to say that 72,000 teens were involved in car accidents in the state of Tennessee in 2014.
Safe Driving Checklist for Teen Drivers and their Parents
Parents are the most important role models in the lives of their children. Their habits—both good and bad—have a huge impact on their children’s current and future behavior.
And when it comes to teaching good habits, there is no greater priority than teaching safe driving habits. When teens get behind the wheel after a lifetime of observing dangerous driving habits, they can be at serious risk of being involved in accidents—especially when they’re still learning how to drive.
To give your teen the best start possible when he or she first begins driving, make sure you both follow this checklist before you head out on the roadway:
At least once per week, take the time to check your vehicle’s tires for proper air pressure and signs of damage or wear. If a tire is low, fill it with air immediately, and if it’s damaged, get it replaced right away. In addition, you should also make sure all lights work, including headlights, turn signals, and brake lights. Driving with dim, foggy, or burned out lights can put you at risk of getting a ticket and make you more difficult to see at night.
One often overlooked key to being safe in your vehicle is making sure everything is properly adjusted to your height and seated position. Adjust rear-view and side mirrors until your view of the sides and rear of your vehicle are clear. Then, adjust your seat until you can comfortably reach the gas and brake pedals. Finally, make sure your seat belt is snug and fits properly across your lap and over your shoulder.
Too often, drivers give in to temptation and text, make phone calls, or browse the internet on their phones because their devices are within easy reach. An easy way to eliminate that temptation is to place your phone inside the glove box when you enter your vehicle. You’ll still have it if you need it, but you won’t be able to use it while driving.
If your vehicle has internet-connected audio and GPS systems, putting away your phone may not eliminate all distractions. One way to keep your eyes and mind focused on the road is to use these features before you begin driving. Input your destination and load playlists or tune to your favorite radio station before your vehicle is in motion to eliminate yet another potentially deadly distraction.
When vehicles are properly adjusted and maintained and drivers are secured and distraction-free, the risk of accidents and serious injuries significantly decreases. Following these steps before you hit the road only takes a few minutes, but doing so can save your life and help instill safe driving habits in your teen that will last a lifetime.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville auto accident attorneys know how important it is for teens to get solid foundations when it comes to learning how to be safe and responsible drivers. Unfortunately, we also know that too many drivers on Tennessee roadways ignore traffic laws and drive while fatigued, distracted, or intoxicated. If you or your teen suffered injuries due to a negligent driver, contact us today at (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form.
