How to Be a Good Passenger When a Teen Is Driving

Getting a driver’s license is always a fun and exciting time, but it’s important for teen drivers and passengers to stay safe on the road. With newfound freedom, many teens disregard basic safety procedures, leaving themselves and their passengers at risk. By following safe driving tips, teens can enjoy all the freedom that comes with having a license while keeping everyone safe.

Just as important as driver safety is passenger safety. As motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of teen deaths in the United States, everyone needs to stay safe in the car. At EyezUP, we believe in helping teen drivers stay safe by providing safety tips and safe driving resources.

Using these practical passenger safety tips, you can help ensure that everyone stays safe on the road.

Don’t Create Distractions

New drivers need to be completely focused on the road, and if you’re a passenger that often creates distractions, it can add stress and anxiety for new teen drivers. All it takes is a few seconds to get distracted while driving, which can lead to a serious accident on the road.

In addition to not creating distractions, good passengers also help drivers eliminate distractions. A good passenger will handle electronic controls for the driver, including GPS, the radio, and more. Drivers that spend more time focusing on phone calls and adjusting the radio are distracted and at a higher risk of causing an accident.

Pay Attention to Surroundings

Just as a driver needs to pay attention to the road, passengers should also be diligent by paying attention to their surroundings. If there’s a problem that the driver misses, a good passenger can alert them, helping to keep everyone safe on the road.

A second pair of eyes can be extremely valuable for a new driver. Assisting a new driver when merging, changing lanes, and backing up are just a few things that passengers can do to help. New drivers may not be used to the blind spots in a car, so they may need help navigating.

Keep Noise to a Minimum

Noise is a major distraction to both new and experienced drivers, so it’s important to keep noise to an absolute minimum when in the car with a teenage driver. Keep the radio at a low volume, avoid loud conversations, and don’t make sudden noises that may distract the driver from focusing on the road.

Safety First

One of the best things you can do as a passenger is to observe basic safety in the vehicle at all times. That means buckling up at all times, never touching the wheel while someone is driving, and don’t obstruct the view of the driver.

EyezUP

Using these safety tips for teen drivers and passengers, everyone can stay safe. Being a safe passenger doesn’t require much effort, but is an important part of teen driving safety. At EyezUP, our goal is to help teen drivers and passengers stay safe on the road by providing insightful tips and tricks that everyone can use.

Review other teen driving tips here.