2023: Not Your Daddy’s Driving Tips

dexter • January 13, 2023
A woman is driving a car on a highway.

New Alabama Teen Driver

 

A friend’s teenage daughter just got her driving license. Her father asked me to speak with her – I would imagine thinking I would tell some horrific driving accident details from my case file — and I have those. But instead, I told her of the 4 overlooked things I have observed. Driving now is not like it was when Daddy was a teen.

Kids know about not drinking, not speeding, and buckling up. There is no need to go over those. Besides, violate any of these, and the troopers will explain it in full. But here are some things she and you may have yet seriously considered.

DISTRACTIONS

She will face more distractions than her father could have imagined as a 16-year-old. Now, you can watch TV and drive. You just shouldn’t. Add to this texting, email, phone calls, and all the other distractions. Taking your eyes off the road for just a few seconds can mean severe injury or death. As I told her, you must take this seriously.

VEHICLE DISTANCE

To keep people from cutting in front, Daddy is probably guilty of hugging a bumper or two. But remember, this is not a video game. Safety experts say to allow at least 3 seconds between you and the person in front of you. Rear-end collisions are on the increase in Mobile, and my prediction is that it is going to get worse.

SCAN

Use your mirrors and notice what is going on with the person behind you and to the side of you. Drivers drifting into another lane is a growing problem. See DISTINCTIONS above.

MAINTENANCE

I see more accidents because a tire blows, a car overheats, or a bumper falls off. These accidents are serious. As I mentioned to her, it will cost you less money and time to take care of a problem when you first notice it. Trying to get across 4 lanes of traffic with only 3 working tires is going to mean trouble.

It is tough out on the roads. We have about a thousand traffic deaths each year here in Alabama. That is roughly 3 a day … every day. That is the reality of getting behind the wheel in 2023.

I hope she listens.

Join us on NBC 15 LawCall here in Mobile every Sunday night at 10:30, right after the news. We are offering 5-minute segments for a few more weeks and then back to our 30-minute format. Plus, we have a live call-in segment every Monday on NBC 15 at around lunchtime. You can also call the Eiland & Ritchie offices at (251) 666-1212. We specifically set aside a few hours Monday morning to answer your questions. The calls are always free.

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