Sage Advice for Teen Drivers
Josh Max
The NY Daily News
This year, millions of teens and other new drivers will take to the roads for the first time, and their nail-biting loved ones naturally want some assurance that they ll get where they re going safely.
So this is as good a time as any to recommend a book by high-risk driving expert Anthony Scotti. Scotti has taught government officials, corporate big shots and law enforcement officers how to protect themselves in vehicles, and the same principles can be applied to rookie drivers.
.....Professional Driving Techniques: The Essential Guide to Operating a Motor Vehicle with Confidence and Skill should be a must-read for any new driver.
One of the basic points about avoiding accidents is to leave yourself an out an escape route to every move you make.
Scotti says. To do this, you have to be aware of what s going on around you all the time. Your best tools for doing this are your mirrors, both rear-view and side-view. Too many of us only use our rear-view mirrors when we want to pull out into traffic.
Scotti says that contrary to stereotypes, many factors other than age affect reaction time.
Reaction times can vary a great deal between people of the same age group. Say says. Reaction times can vary according to the time of day, as much as four tenths of a second in the morning to as much as a full second at day s end.
Four-tenths of s second may not sound like much, he notes, but at 60 mph a car travels 35 feet. That could make a life and death difference in an accident situation.
Scotti also says that when confronted with an accident-producing situation, most people don t lose control of their vehicle, they give it up.
the average driver uses less than half of the vehicle s capability, he said. In fact, statistics show that in over 40% of all automobile accidents, the drivers never realized they were in trouble until they heard the screech of tires and the crunch of steel.
ANTHONY SCOTTI S TOP TIPS FOR TEEN DRIVERS
1. Signal your intentions properly and adequately; give clear warning to other drivers.
2.Change lanes sparingly and cautiously.
3. Assess your moves before you make them; don t start, stop of turn a vehicle without ensuring that making such a change is safe.
4. Yield the right of way; use judgment and courtesy.
5. Always carry a cell phone or cash or charge card for a pay phone --Josh Max, New York Daily News
Driving Techniques, 3rd Edition is a terrific reference for new and experienced drivers. It's very helpful in understanding the new features offered-- side air bags, braking systems, traction control, ABS brakes. Did you know, for example, that underinflated tires will take 500 miles off the life of the tire? This book is packed with helpful information on every aspect of driving. Special sections prepared by Shell Oil Company cover everything from checking your oil to jump starting your car to driving in foul weather and driving alone.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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