Rules on roundabouts

Roundabouts are becoming more common in the United States because they provide safer and more efficient traffic flow than standard intersections.

When driving a roundabout (see video), the same general rules apply as for maneuvering through any other type of intersection:

1. Slow down. Obey traffic signs and pavement markings.
2. Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists.
3. Yield to traffic in all lanes on your left already in the roundabout.
4. Enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in traffic.
5. Keep your speed low within the roundabout.
6. As you approach your exit, turn on your right turn signal.
7. Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists as you exit.

If an emergency vehicle is approaching while you are in a roundabout, complete your turn before you pull over and come to a complete stop. If you have not entered the roundabout, pull over and allow emergency vehicles to pass.

Information excerpted from the Parent's Supervised Driving Guide, an exceptional resource for families with young drivers, and the Michigan Department of Transportation.

What's the pink permit?

A driver education provider in Michigan may issue a Parent Driving Permit (commonly called the “pink permit”) to a student who has completed 10 hours of classroom and 2 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction. The permit authorizes a student to drive a motor vehicle when accompanied by 1) a licensed parent or 2) a licensed adult and a non-licensed parent.   The purpose of the permit is to allow the student to receive additional instruction and practice while taking driver education. Practice should be limited only to those driving tasks the teen has experienced while with an instructor. The permit reinforces the instruction the student has already received. The permit’s expiration date should be no more than three weeks after the last scheduled day of classroom instruction. The permit is not valid for driving a vehicle requiring a motorcycle endorsement or a commercial driver license.  Parents are advised to contact their insurance provider to determine if the teen needs to be added to their policy prior to using the permit.

"Anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel or your mind off your driving can be a big problem. Studies show that your brain cannot give full attention to more than one activity at a time." Ruth Johnson Secretary of State

Know how to safely handle a tire blowout

If a front tire blows out, your vehicle will pull sharply in the direction of the blowout. If a rear tire blows out, your vehicle will wobble and shake and pull some toward the blowout.

In either case: 1. Grip the steering wheel firmly. 2. DO NOT BRAKE HARD. 3. Allow the vehicle to slow on its own or brake gently if necessary. 4. Check traffic around you. 5. Turn on emergency flashers. 6. Drive to a protected location and pull off the roadway.

Teaching tip for parents

A recent study has shown that parents who use certain online educational tools can improve their teen's driving skills, according to this Boston Globe story.

Toward that goal, the Safe at the Wheel website created by the NHTSA to help parents and teen drivers has good advice.

The National Safety Council's DriveitHOME program offers videos and other tools for parents.

The best resource for families in the driver education process in Michigan is the Secretary of State's teen driver page at Michigan.gov/teendriver.

Safe Driving Contract

Put your commitment in writing. Download and complete this Safe Driving Contract for parents and teens.