10
THINGS
EVERY
TEENS
SHOULD
KNOW
About Cars and Driving
W
hen a teenager gets a driver
and the lure of the open road. But
with this newfound freedom comes
a host of new situations and possible problems that most teen drivers have never encountered before.
It’s a good idea to review these scenarios with new drivers in your family, and discuss how to handle them
before they happen for real.
here’s a primer on what you need
to tell teen drivers as they take to
the roads.
2
Pull completely off the road, even
if it means destroying the tire. Call
roadside assistance and let that
person change the tire. If you have
a spare (many cars now only have
change the tire, make sure you are
yourself.
3
What to do when you’re
What to do when the
“check engine” light
comes on
Safely pull to the side of the
road, turn off your car, roll down the
window and keep your hands visible. Don’t make any sudden moves
-
If there is any change in the
car’s performance, any mechanical
noises, smoke from the tailpipe or
electrical smells, stop the car and
call for assistance. If there are none
of these symptoms, take the car
1
4
to a dealer and let them diagnose
the problem. However, if you just
bought gas, the light might just be
indicating that the gas cap is loose.
Tighten the cap and continue driving. The light should go off on its
own.
4
Handling a friend who is
about to drive under the
Don’t get in the car. Do anything
to avoid driving with an intoxicated
person, and that includes calling
your parents for a lift or paying for a
taxi. Your next move is to try to prevent your drunken friend from hurting themselves or someone else.
5
Driving and talking on a
cell phone
Most states and provinces ban