7 Safe Driving Tips for Teenagers

While you may think that residential areas pose fewer threats to drivers than freeways, these roads can be just as dangerous. You have pedestrians and children playing outside to worry about; blind curves, and many signs you must pay attention to. Read on for info on residential area safe driving tips.

Here are our safe driving tips for teenagers to ensure you are driving your best in a neighborhood:

1. Be aware of and follow the speed limit.

The speed limit in these areas is usually as low as 25 MPH. With the possibility of kids playing on the streets, or cars pulling out of driveways, you must exercise caution and slow down.

2. Be on the lookout for traffic signs.

Along with signs that notify you of the speed limit, there are others that you need to watch for. Residential areas could have stop signs, yield signs, speed bump warnings, and more.

3. Don’t let yourself get distracted.

Ringing cell phones, switching between different radio stations, a spilled drink—all are temptations for you to take your eyes off the road, but they should be ignored. Keeping your focus on what’s ahead of you is far more important.

4. Always watch for pedestrians.

Residential areas are prime locations for people who enjoy walking—often off the sidewalk—so be sure to remain alert as you drive through neighborhoods. You never know if a child is going to dart out into the street.

5. Use your turn signals.

Residential areas don’t have stop signs for every turn, so if you need to make a turn onto an adjoining street, always signal so that drivers behind you or coming toward you aren’t taken by surprise.

6. Stick to your side.

If you are driving on a two-way residential street, leave enough room on the other side of the street for vehicles to go by. Residential streets are typically narrower, so it’s important that you aren’t driving in the center of the road and causing other drivers to slam on their brakes or otherwise barely avoid a collision. But remember to leave yourself enough room on your right—you don’t want to sideswipe parked vehicles or anything else.

7. Don’t cut through residential areas if you don’t have to.

Sometimes drivers will take shortcuts through neighborhoods to avoid stop lights or traffic. But the more people that do this, the more congested neighborhoods become, and the higher the likelihood that an accident will occur.

Your Best Bet? Slow Down!

There are many driving skills for teenagers to know, but the most important thing when driving through a residential area is to go slowly and keep your eyes on the road. It’s the best way to prevent accidents from happening and keep everyone safe.