Oregon teens are one of the smallest groups of Oregon drivers. But they are three times as likely to be involved in a fatal or serious injury crash due to their inexperience behind the wheel.
Teen Driver Teaching Orientation
Before you begin teaching, make sure you know common teen driving errors and ways you can help your teen be a better driver.
Top Driving Errors
- Failure to avoid stopped or parked vehicle ahead.
- Failure to yield right-of-way.
- Roadway departure (running off the road).
- Driving too fast for conditions (not exceeding posted speed).
- Failure to maintain lane.
- Following too closely.
- Inattention (distraction).
- Failure to decrease speed for slower moving vehicles.
- Left turn in front of oncoming traffic.
- Disregarded traffic signal.
Aggressive Driving
Drivers who routinely speed, run red lights and stop signs, tailgate, and otherwise disregard the safety of other motorists are turning streets and highways into high-risk areas. Aggressive driving can easily escalate into road rage. We're all too familiar with stories of motorists who've killed or injured other drivers for seemingly trivial reasons.
When is it Aggressive Driving?
The following attitudes and behaviors indicate that problem driving behaviors are related to aggression rather than inexperience:
- Constant rushing, lane jumping, and the need to “get ahead."
- Ignoring road signs and regulations.
- Constantly ridiculing and criticizing other drivers.
- Denying entry into your lane or preventing passing.
- Speeding past another car, revving engine.
- Tailgating a driver to go faster or get out of your way.
- Honking, flashing headlights, yelling or making visible insulting gestures.
When Confronted by Aggressive Drivers
- First and foremost, make every attempt to get out of their way.
- Put your pride in the back seat. Do not challenge them by speeding up or attempting to “hold-your-own" in your travel lane.
- Wear your safety belt. It will hold you in your seat and behind the wheel in case you need to make an abrupt driving maneuver and it will protect you in a crash.
- Avoid eye contact.
- Ignore gestures and refuse to return them.
- Report aggressive drivers to the appropriate authorities by providing a vehicle description, license plate number, location, and if possible, direction of travel.
- If it is an emergency and you can do it safely, call 911. Keep in mind that it is against the law to operate a motor vehicle while using a mobile communication device unless you are requesting medical or emergency help and there is no other person in the vehicle that is able to do it.
Parent Tips for Teaching Your Teen Driver
Set a Good Example
You should always model correct, legal driving behavior for your teen driver. Also, make sure you and your teen are familiar with all controls and safety devices in each of the family vehicles.
Expect that Your Teen Will Make Mistakes
Making mistakes is part of learning so be positive and calm. Try to separate physical errors (like turning the wheel too soon) from mental errors (like not detecting a problem) and coach your teen accordingly. Always praise correct driving behaviors.
Give Directions Clearly, Calmly, and Well in Advance
Explain why and how to do things in a soft, steady voice. DO NOT assume your teenager knows what you want them to do. Give time for them to clarify your directions, if needed.
Stay Focused and Ready
Remember, you are the responsible driver of the car so constantly scan the driving scene and be ready to react to any driving situation.
- Make sure that you verbally guide your teen through situations well in advance of trouble.
- If necessary, be ready to react to any driving situation and assist with verbal or physical steering guidance.
Vehicle Safety Features
It is important that you and your teen understand the safety features in each of your vehicles. Together, read your vehicle manuals for information on, and proper usage of, vehicle safety features.
Safety Belts
In 2020, 311 people in passenger vehicles were killed in traffic crashes in Oregon. Even with Oregon's amazing compliance (top 5 in the nation for 17 years now) 32% were still unrestrained.
Oregon law requires that all motor vehicle occupants “properly" use safety restraints. For adults and children over age eight or taller than 4'9", this means using a safety belt or safety harness system.
Child Safety Seat Law
Child passengers must be restrained in child safety seats until they weigh at least forty pounds or reach the upper weight limit for the car seat in use. Infants must ride rear-facing until they reach two years of age.
Booster Seat Law
Children who weigh over forty pounds must use a booster seat until the adult belt fits them correctly AND the are at least eight years old OR they are 4'9" tall.
Rear Seating for Children
There is no Oregon law specifically prohibiting children from riding in the front seat of passenger vehicles. However, a rear-facing infant seat cannot be placed in a front seating position that is equipped with an airbag because this would violate Oregon's requirement for “proper use" of a child safety seat. There is a national “best practice recommendation" calling for rear seating for ages 12 and under.
Each of the following can significantly reduce injuries in the event of a crash. Practice each of these with your teen:
- Read the manufacturer's instructions for the proper use of safety belts and car seats.
- Wear safety belts.
- Have children age 13 and under sit in the back seat.
- Place children correctly in appropriate child restraints.
Air Bags
Air bags and safety belts are designed to be used together. Air bags and safety belts keep you in the safest positions during a crash. Depending on your vehicle, you may have front and/or side air bags.
Air bags can deploy at speeds of up to 200 mph and temperatures of almost 500 degrees. The deployment and deflation happens faster than the eye can see. Front and side impacts will activate appropriate air bags.
Proper Procedures for Use
- Read your vehicle manual to learn where air bags are located and when and how they deploy.
- Sit 10-12 inches from the steering wheel. Any less than 10 inches and you dramatically increase the impact force of an airbag that is deploying. More than 12 inches and the bag begins to deflate as you're moving forward into it, decreasing its efficiency.
Does Your Vehicle have Antilock Brake Systems (ABS)?
Most vehicles manufactured after 2011 have antilock brake systems. ABS is designed to help a driver maintain control during emergency braking situations by keeping the tires from locking up and avoiding uncontrolled skidding. However, it does not make a vehicle stop more quickly. In fact, the rolling traction may produce longer stopping distances on some dry or limited traction surfaces such as loose gravel or fresh snow.
Some vehicles are equipped with ABS on all 4 wheels. Others, such as light pickup trucks only have ABS on the rear wheels. Check your vehicle manuals to determine if you have ABS and on which wheels.
How Do You Use ABS?
Vehicles with ABS require the foot to remain firmly on the brake pedal when braking hard. This allows the system to automatically pump the brakes faster than you can. The system usually activates at speeds above 10 mph.
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With ABS on all 4 wheels, do not pump the brakes. Maintain firm pressure on the brake, and if needed, steer away from the hazard using a minimum amount of steering.
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With ABS on the rear wheels only, the front wheels can lock up. Pump the brakes to avoid lock-up.
Vehicle Functioning
In addition to safety features, you and your teen need to be familiar with all vehicle controls and other indications that the vehicle is functional.
Vehicle Controls
In each of your vehicles, have your teen practice and then demonstrate the ability to operate each of the following without looking at the controls:
- Gear selector
- Turn signals
- Headlights, low and high beams
- Climate controls
- Defrost, front and back
- Door locks
- Window controls
- Parking brake, set and release levers
- Brake and gas pedals
Vehicle Readiness
In each of your vehicles, have your teen practice and then demonstrate the ability to determine the readiness of each of the following:
- Windows and headlights clear
- Tires properly inflated
- Mechanical condition checked regularly
- Loose objects secured in trunk
- Parking brake works
- Signal lights and brake lights work
Blind Spots
Coach your teen to regularly monitor and be aware of blind spots. They should:
- Check to the rear with the inside rearview mirror.
- Check to the sides with the side view mirrors.
- Make a blind spot check in the area slightly beyond the driver's peripheral field of vision. Sit upright in the seat and only turn their head (not torso) “chin to shoulder" to do checks.
- Look out of the rear side windows, not the back window, when checking the mirror blind spot areas. (See the red areas beside and to the rear of the car in the example.)
New drivers have a tendency to move the steering wheel in the direction they move their head. Watch for this movement and correct if necessary.
Figure 1 - Blind Area
Central Fringe Vision Area
Blind Area
Right Side Mirror View
Rear Mirror View
Left Side Mirror View
Become Familiar with Blind Spots
Figure 2 - Area Drivers Can’t See
Rear: Two + car lengths Front: One car length
Left Side: One car width Right side: Two car widths
This exercise illustrates the area around the car the driver cannot see.
- While your teen is sitting in the driver's seat with the engine off, get out of the car and stand close to the front bumper facing the driver.
- Begin taking steps backward and have your teen tap the horn when he or she can see your feet.
- Place a cone or cup in that spot. This is the pavement area in front of the vehicle that cannot be seen when looking out of the windshield.
- Ask the driver to use the inside mirror and/or to look over the right shoulder, and repeat this process to the rear of the vehicle.
- Walk backwards from the passenger doors on the left and right sides of the vehicle and place cups or cones to mark the side areas visible to the driver.
- Have your teen measure these distances and record them.