How new drivers can stay safe as Philly road crashes rise

With Philadelphia’s hit and run toll rising and the rate of car accidents increasing, authorities and parents alike are becoming concerned with the amount of fatal car crashes on the roads. For the year 2020, there has been an 88 percent increase from last year. Even with the roads largely deserted during the pandemic, fatal car crashes have managed to increase. Now, as Philadelphia slowly begins to reopen, the roadways get busier and the PennDot resumes driving tests, parents and first-time drivers can benefit from a few basic practices to help them stay safe behind the wheels.

Help Them Get Into The Habit Of Practicing Mindful Driving 

Young drivers are becoming notorious for their insistence on multitasking while driving. Texting while driving and other distracted driving scenarios have featured heavily as the causes for car crashes over the years. Distracted drivers cause 1 in every 5 accidents on the roadways currently. To practice mindful driving, try to become more aware of your surroundings when driving. Drivers should also try to eliminate any distractions, particularly when new to driving. Music or distracting thoughts can hinder their ability to concentrate and increase the chances of reckless driving.

Get To Know The Basics Of Car Maintenance And Car Shopping

Almost 70 percent of drivers are hitting the roads with cars that have at least one repair needed. Additionally, a recent study showed that an alarming amount of Americans don’t know basic car maintenance like how to change their car oil, change a flat tire, or check their tire pressure. However, knowing the fundamentals of car performance and maintenance is a key life skill for all car drivers, seasoned and new. Not only can it save new drivers valuable cash in maintenance over the years of driving but it also provides a great background when choosing your first car. Knowing what to look for when buying a vehicle means you can ensure your vehicle is safe at all times when on the road.

Practice Speed Anticipation And Management For All Seasons And Road Conditions

Over half of the car accidents in Philadelphia are attributed to speeding and reckless driving, according to the state’s driving data. Philadelphia has ranked as one of the states where drivers are most likely to crash. Three years after the city’s Vision Zero road safety plan and with the impending activation of speed cameras along Roosevelt Boulevard, speeding remains one of the top causes of crashes in the city. Many new drivers underestimate the consequences of speeding or end up getting caught up in the latest trends like the latest coast to coast speeding record trend on social media.

To help new drivers practice speed management, get to know what the right braking and stopping distance looks like in reality. This also alters drastically according to seasons. For instance, during winter the presence of ice and snow can mean an increased risk of skidding and loss of grip. Drivers can also practice being more aware of their surroundings including noting speed limit signs, oncoming hazards, and checking your car’s speedometer.

Finally, new drivers should also be mindful when driving through small roads and suburban areas. Recent reports by the University of Pennsylvania showed that roads with a 45mph speed limit saw 10 times more accidents than those with a 25 mph speed limit. If you are a parent teaching your teen to drive, anticipation in road conditions and speed changes would prove to be a valuable lesson here. By giving them the tools and tips to practice safe driving, it is the hope that the new generation of drivers can change the tide of fatal crashes in the city.

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