My parents parented by trial and error as all parents do. With each daughter, they learned what worked and what didn’t. When the oldest turned 16, my father bought her a new convertible sports car. Looking back, the one smart thing that he did, was to buy her a five speed. It’s nearly impossible to multitask while shifting gears. And, as sweet as that ride was, she would drink and take out parked cars on weekends. When the second oldest became old enough to drive, he bought her a used sports car. She was a decent driver. He probably spent more time with her driver education. When it came to me, the youngest, he gave me a $60 gold, four-door Delta88 Oldsmobile (a minivan would have been cooler). Although I was too embarrassed to be seen in it, and hardly drove it, when it went to the junk yard that car was smashed in on all four sides. It was like a Mini when I got done with it. I’m sure it was more compact and easier to park. So, what are the best tips when choosing a vehicle for your teen?

High safety ratings are imperative when choosing a car. Bigger, heavier vehicles, although not the best choice for fuel economy, are said to protect better in a crash. Assuring that the car has key safety features, such as electronic stability control, is especially beneficial for teenage drivers. So, something more along the lines of a family vehicle with low horsepower, will not only keep them from speeding, but will also prevent them from wanting to drive at all, as was my experience.

Until next week…

Daun Thompson
Writer / Comedienne / Artist

Choosing a Vehicle for Your Teen – Comedy Defensive Driving

The post Choosing a Vehicle for Your Teen appeared first on Comedy Defensive Driving®.

I’ve had my share of collisions over the years. The last two were both the result of someone running a red light. Although neither were my fault, looking both ways before proceeding through my green light would have avoided both of those accidents. I apparently didn’t learn that until the second accident. And now, I also know that anticipating the actions of others will also help to prevent an accident. If there is a car in the lane next to you, blocking your view, let them go first when the light turns green. If they do not proceed, it may be because they can see (and you cannot) that someone is running the light. Another good thing to be aware of is how to avoid faulty evasive action. For example, someone is drifting into your lane and you swerve into the lane next to you to avoid that car hitting you. Then you, by default, hit a car in the lane your steer into. Now, you are to blame. You tried to avoid an accident and, in turn, caused one. If you knew where your “out” was, and you were anticipating the actions of others, you may have been able to avoid hitting that other car. And how you do this, experts say, is by checking your side mirrors and rear view mirror every 3-7 seconds. Honestly, if you were checking your mirrors that often, the police would pull you over immediately to see if you were on something because you are driving like a nervous bobble-head. But just being aware of what and who is around your car at all times will certainly give you that “out.” And that’s just the beginning. Also avoiding distractions, remaining alert and staying calm all help with avoiding car accidents. Quick steering maneuvers, quick vision checks, quick acceleration, and knowing how to recover from a skid (I use oxy-clean) will also help you to maintain a breathing pattern (i.e. life). And, remember, your main focus should always be scanning the road ahead of your intended path of travel, grasshopper. If you are paying attention to what’s happening ahead, you will have better reaction time. More time to react, slow down, pull over, whatever. And, therefore, more time on this planet, so you can finish college and become a bill collector.

Until next week…anticipate the moves of others.

Daun Thompson, Comedienne/Benevolent Thesbo

Anticipating The Actions Of Others – Comedy Defensive Driving

The post AVOIDING COLLISIONS – ANTICIPATING THE ACTIONS OF OTHERS appeared first on Comedy Defensive Driving®.

Times are changing; many states are now prosecuting drivers who cause fatigue related collisions.
New Jersey passed ‘Maggie’s Law’ in 2003. Sleep deprived drivers who cause a fatal accident and were awake for more than 24 hours will be charged with vehicular homicide.

If you are tired, pull over, take a nap. I know that seems unrealistic at times but it sure beats the consequences! If you get into an accident, you’ll wish you had. Don’t use stimulants to help stay awake, remember, what goes up must come down! Do your part to help keep our roads safe.
Fatigue related car crashes do not have to happen and it all starts with you.

Keep in touch and I’ll talk to you next week!

Take Care-
Danny Keaton

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