Safe Young Drivers: A Guide for Parents and Teens. Phil Berardelli

      —Adjust the head restraint. The back of the driver’s head should hit it in the center and should not have to travel more than a couple of inches before making contact.

      —Adjust the steering wheel, if possible, so it’s comfortable. The best position is tilting slightly away from the vertical, and the wheel should be far enough away from the body that when gripped it draws the elbows away from the chest.

      —Lock all of the doors. This adds a measure of security. Some vehicles even have automatic locks that engage as soon as you start moving forward. Locked doors are less likely to spring open in a crash, and they can prevent intruders—infrequent but real threats in today’s society—from getting in.

      Getting a Grip

      The hand position on the steering wheel has become even more important since the introduction of airbags. Most experts recommend the “nine o’clock/three o’clock” position, to keep the hands away from the airbag in case it inflates during a crash. It permits the rapid and easy movement of the wheel.

      I also recommend either “ten o’clock/four o’clock,” or “eight o’clock/two o’clock,” depending on which feels more comfortable. Neither would interfere with the deployment of an airbag, and both offer plenty of control and flexibility, particularly if the hands are extended far enough away from the body.

      The position to stay away from—in terms of both control and airbag safety—is with one or both hands at the top of the wheel. That’s common among drivers, but it interferes with effective vehicle control, and it invites injury if the airbag deploys.

      Theme One of Five: CLEAR THE WAY

      [TEENS]

      As mentioned, the lessons in this book include the development of five main themes, that is, five approaches to driving that underlie everything else there is to learn.

      We’ll cover the other four later. The first of the five is:

      CLEAR THE WAY

      It means never move the vehicle anywhere until you look first. You must constantly “clear” the way ahead or behind by looking, and you must stop or slow down whenever your ability to see where you’re going is restricted.

      You should practice this from the very beginning and never forget it.

      When you pull out of a parking space, make sure there is nothing immediately in front of or behind the vehicle. This should be done by looking around before you get in. No big deal. Just make a quick mental note. Are there any small children or pets nearby? If so, might they wander in your path—particularly if you’re backing up—while you’re getting ready to move? Are there toys or bicycles or shopping carts in the way? You want to clear an imaginary zone around the vehicle. The same applies as long as you are driving. When you start out, make a quick scan in all directions to be sure you’re clear.

      Whenever you arrive at a stop sign or an intersection, keep looking in every direction where there may be approaching traffic until the way is clear. As all drivers soon learn, it only takes a second or two of inattention to produce an unwanted surprise.

      We’ll discuss this theme frequently as we go through the lessons, but for now, concentrate on the idea: CLEAR THE WAY.

      Clean and Clear

      Speaking of clear, it’s important to keep your windshield clean. The same goes for side and rear windows. This sounds extremely simple, but whenever you drive at night or in bad weather, in the glare of oncoming headlights, it’s something that can be very annoying if not taken care of. It even can be dangerous.

      Substances continually accumulate on your windshield. Dirt, road grime, tree sap, insect carcasses, leaves, pollen and bird droppings are common contributors. It doesn’t take long before the glass becomes grimy. So, every time you start out, check the windshield. If it’s a little dirty, use the washer and wipers to clean it. If anything major is obstructing the view, clean it off with a good cleaner and non-abrasive cloth.

      It’s a good idea to clean all of the vehicle’s windows every time you refuel the vehicle. Most service stations now provide a tuffy sponge and squeegee at the self-service pumps, so it’s easy as pie to get into the habit of keeping your windshield and windows clear.