Having a new teen driver is an exciting milestone, but it can also bring anxiety about your child’s safety. According to the CDC, teen drivers are nearly three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be involved in a fatal crash per mile driven. But the right guidance and practice can help them build the confidence and skills needed for a lifetime of safe driving. These teen driving tips give parents a clear framework to support and guide their young drivers.

Safe Driving Tips for Teens

• Buckle Up: Always wear your seatbelt, and make sure all passengers do the same. Make buckling up a non-negotiable habit for every trip, no matter how short. Seatbelts save lives and reduce the severity of injuries in case of an accident.
• Limit Passengers: In the early stages of driving, consider limiting the number of passengers in your car. Extra passengers can be distracting and increase the risk of accidents. Florida has laws limiting the number of passengers a driver under the age of 17 can drive with, as well as restrictions about driving during certain times of day. You can read more about Graduated Driver Licensing here. 
• Obey Speed Limits: Follow posted speed limits. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding is a leading cause of accidents.
• Adjust for Weather Conditions: Slow down and adjust your driving to match the weather conditions. Rain and fog can make roads slippery, requiring extra caution.
• Avoid Reckless Driving: Reckless driving, including aggressive behaviors such as tailgating or weaving in and out of traffic, increases the likelihood of accidents. When faced with aggressive drivers, remain patient and calm.
• Use Turn Signals: Indicate your intentions by using turn signals. This helps other drivers predict your movements and reduces the risk of collisions.
• Observe Traffic Signs and Signals: Pay attention to traffic signs, signals and road markings. They provide important information and guide you safely through traffic.
• Be Mindful of Blind Spots: Check your blind spots before changing lanes. Be aware of other drivers’ blind spots as well to avoid accidents.
• Practice Defensive Driving: Anticipate potential hazards and be prepared to react defensively. Always be aware of your surroundings. Scan the road ahead and to the sides while driving, not just directly in front of the vehicle.
• Don’t Be in A Rush: Encourage teens to plan their trips and leave early to avoid rushing.
• Give Yourself Space: Maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles. A common rule of thumb for this is the three-second rule.
• Be Alert: Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Also, do not drive while drowsy.

The Most Important Teen Driving Tip: Practice Builds Confidence

The more your teen practices driving, the more confident and skilled he or she will become. It’s better to practice now when they are in a controlled environment than in a crisis. Practice driving in various conditions and environments to build experience. Aim for 30-50 hours of supervised driving in various conditions before driving independently.

Some of these conditions include:

1. Different times of day: Incorporate daytime driving, as well as nighttime driving, which requires extra skill due to reduced visibility.
2. Weather conditions: Practice in various weather situations such as rain, snow, ice, fog, and heavy wind.
3. Road types: Experience driving on residential roads, commercial roads, country roads, highways and parking lots.
4. Traffic levels: Start with low-traffic areas and gradually progress to more congested urban environments.
5. Speed variations: Practice on roads with different speed limits, from slow residential areas to faster highways.
6. Visibility conditions: Drive in situations with varying levels of visibility, including bright sunlight, dawn and dusk.
7. School zones: Learn to navigate school zones, which require extra caution and adherence to specific rules.
8. Complex maneuvers: Practice more challenging driving tasks such as merging into traffic, changing lanes and navigating intersections.
9. Vehicle familiarization: Get accustomed to different vehicle controls and features, including mirrors, wipers and defrosting systems.

By practicing in these diverse conditions, teen drivers can build the skills and confidence needed to become safer, more experienced drivers.

Minimize Distractions

Distractions while driving are a significant problem because they divert a driver’s attention, leading to slower reaction times and impaired decision-making. According to the CDC, there are three main types of driving distractions which can be equally dangerous:

1. Visual: Taking your eyes off the road. Includes actions such as looking at passengers in the back seat, reading a billboard or sign, rubbernecking or searching for an object in the car.
2. Manual: Taking your hands off the wheel. Includes actions such as eating, drinking, grooming, texting or adjusting the radio or climate controls.
3. Cognitive: Taking your mind off driving. Includes talking on the phone (even hands-free), daydreaming or being lost in thought, engaging in stressful or emotional conversation or thinking about work or personal problems.

By recognizing these three types of distractions, drivers can become more aware of their actions and take proactive measures to stay focused, making the roads safer for themselves and everyone around them.

Get on the Same Page

Equipping Teen Drivers in Florida

As the parent of a new driver, you want to do everything in your power to keep your teen safe behind the wheel. Thankfully, it’s not the parents’ sole responsibility to ensure your teen learns everything they need to know to be safe on the road. The Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) created the Teen Driver Challenge to partner with parents and help prevent Florida teens build essential skills.

The Teen Driver Challenge is a free, one-day program taught by sheriffs’ deputies who are licensed driving instructors. Since its inception in 2007, over 400 certified law enforcement driving instructors and 2,000 students have participated in the course each year.

The requirements to participate are as follows:

• Must be between the ages of 15-19 (15 years old with a restricted license and at least 6 months of driving or 16 years old with a License)
• Have a valid Florida Driver’s License
• Have access to a safe vehicle
• Provide proof of insurance for the vehicle operated
• Child and Parent must sign a waiver of liability prior to taking this course

The class consists of lectures and driving exercises. It is not a supplemental or advanced driving course, but a defensive driving program that covers various topics including:

Topics 2 hours – Classroom	Driving Exercises 6 hours – Driving Range
Vehicle Dynamics	Threshold, ABS and Emergency Braking
Human Factors	Evasive Maneuvers
Responsibility	Cornering
Liability	Backing
Drug and Alcohol Use	Forward and Reverse Serpentine
Night Driving	Figure 8
Aggressive Driving	Off Road Recovery
Road Rages	Skid Control

The Florida Sheriffs Association is licensed statewide by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles as a commercial driving school. Each law enforcement instructor who teaches the Teen Driver Challenge is also licensed, under the FSA License, as a school instructor. Each student who enrolls in the program will benefit from the special knowledge and skills of these certified law enforcement instructors – not only related to vehicle operation but also cause-and-effect events related to driving. Each new instructor goes through a rigorous “Train the Trainer” class offered by FSA or sits through an actual program course with an advisory group member or another established program’s instructor.

Support the Teen Driver Challenge

Are you ready for your teen to take the challenge? Sign up for the Teen Driver Challenge today by finding a program near you. The Teen Driver Challenge is offered at no cost to students, and we welcome corporate sponsors as well as individual donors to help us offset the costs for this important program. Please consider making an online donation to support this essential program.

About the Florida Sheriffs Association

Founded in 1893, the Florida Sheriffs Association was established to unite Florida’s sheriffs in advancing public safety, shaping legislation and fostering collaboration among law enforcement agencies. Over the decades, FSA has grown into a powerful advocate for law enforcement, providing training, resources and support to ensure the protection and security of Florida’s communities.

The Florida Sheriffs Association will help you to stay informed on the latest law enforcement initiatives, public safety updates and the work of Florida’s sheriffs. From in-depth blogs to legislative news and community programs, we keep you connected to the issues that matter. Explore more at flsheriffs.org and stay engaged with Florida’s law enforcement community.