Every teenager dreams of the day he or she finally gets a driver’s license. However, many do not comprehend the amount of responsibility involved with getting behind the wheel. Teenagers are ten times more likely to get in a car accident their during first year driving than any other driver. It’s important for teens to take precautions as new drivers. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind before they take the car keys and fulfilling that teenage dream.

1. Always wear a seat belt
   Everyone has probably been told this at some point. It is well known that wearing a seat belt saves lives. Morever, the law requires it. However, teens may forget or not see the need to use it. Parents should keep stressing the importance of this safety device.
2. Get a lot of supervised driving experience
   To be a better driver not only takes skill, but lots of experience too. New drivers should practice in a lot of different situations, including city streets and highways.
3. Never use your cell phone while driving
   That means no texting and no talking on your cell phone. Drivers not only risk hurting themselves by using a cell phone, but also passengers, pedestrians and occupants of other vehicles. Teens should put away their cell phones and, if a call must be answered, always find a safe place to stop and park.
4. Limit the number of passengers
   After getting your license, it is normal to want to drive around with your friends, but try to avoid this for the first couple of months. Passengers can be a distraction and new drivers may be particularly susceptible to this.
5. Get rid of further distractions like loud music
   Blasting the Billboard’s Top 100 Songs may seem cool, but it is likely to hurt your driving performance. Teens must understand that concentrating on the lyrics of a song could increase the chances  of missing a stop sign or the honk of a nearby vehicle. If you want to listen to music, keep the volume down and focus on the road, not on Lady Gaga.
6. Never drink or take drugs and drive
   This includes never getting in a car with a driver who has had a drink or taken drugs. This may seem obvious, but still some teenagers are guilty of this. Alcohol and drugs impair your mental and physical abilities, and make you much more at risk of an accident. It is much wiser to call a trusted person who is sober, than to risk driving impaired.
7. Make sure your car has gas in it
   It is easy to overlook your gas tank, but no one wants to be stranded. So always check before and during your drive.
8. Be careful driving your car into the garage and always enter straight
   Always adjust the position of the car before entering the garage, to enter it straight and never at an angle. Parents should practice this with teens before letting them do this by themselves.
9. Make sure the intersection is clear before crossing
   Never forget to check both directions before entering the intersection; another car could be coming from any direction.
10. Use turn signals
    Turn signals must be used to show that you are about to turn onto a street or to change lanes. They also allow drivers to react appropriately before you turn, so use the turn signal well ahead of time, and don’t forget to turn them back off!