Local Police Share Teen Safe Driving Tips

Fairfax County's new police car may draw many people’s attention.  You will not be seeing this new car around much because it will be used as a teaching tool in many schools.

The new car is written in two languages, Spanish and English, with many sayings like buckle up, drive safe, keep your hands on the wheel, and don’t drive drunk.  The car also has things to scan on it.  There are many logos and sayings including, “buzzed driving is drunk driving and don’t drive drunk, and it’s your choice cab or cell.”

This new police car is looking to help you drive safer on the road and alert you with the consequences or driving drunk, texting and driving, and keeping both hands on the wheel.

I asked Lucy H. Caldwell from the Fairfax County Police Department Public Information Office if you had to drive hands free in Virginia and this is what she said, “You should drive with both hands on the wheel.  TEENS aged 15, 16, 17 are prohibited from talking, sending texts or taking photos while driving.  Other people are legally allowed to do those things, however, obviously police and safety officials urge that drivers pay full time attention to the road and their driving at all times.”

When being a teen driver there are many things to look out for so, here are some safe driving tips for the road.

1) Make sure everything in the car is ready.  “Fasten your safety belt and adjust your mirrors, the radio or CD player, and the climate control settings. Make sure everyone else in your vehicle is buckled up and that all objects are securely stowed,” said Lucy H. Caldwell.

2) Make sure you and your body are alert.  “Sit straight, but relaxed.  Place your left hand between the 7 and 9 o'clock positions on the steering wheel and your right hand between the 3 and 5 o'clock positions on the wheel. Hold the wheel with your fingers and thumbs. Avoid gripping it tightly because your palms are not as sensitive as your fingers. Look in the direction that you want to go,” said Lucy H. Caldwell.

3) If you are 15, 16, or 17 you cannot talk, send text messages, or take photos while driving but, you are allowed to use your phone in an emergency.  Also no hands free devices.

4) Look at the traffic and environment around you.  Make sure there is space between you and the other cars.  Also do not drive parallel to the person next to you.  Lastly make sure you are always looking ahead and checking you mirrors constantly.

5) In bad weather reduce your speed and extend the distance between you and the other cars. The road may be slippery or drivers may not be alert, you do not want to crash.

6) Make sure you drive the speed limit. “Speeding will not get you to your destination faster.  Speed influences a crash in four ways: It increases the distance your vehicle travels from the time you recognize an emergency until you can react.  It increases the distance it takes to stop your vehicle.  The faster you go, the more distance it takes to stop your vehicle.  Crash severity increases incrementally with speed,” said Lucy H. Caldwell.

7) Avoid sudden movements on the road or over-correction.  This could cause you to skid and maximize the risk of a crash.

Follow these easy steps and it could make your first few years driving a little easier and safer.

For more fun family friendly things to do and educational articles, visit Caring Kids Cards.