Tips for night driving

A driver's reaction time depends on their vision, which is limited at night. This makes it more difficult to make judgments and see pedestrians, bicyclists and other obstacles. Some tips to keep in mind:

• Glare from oncoming headlights makes it difficult to see. Looking toward the right side of the road and adjusting the rearview mirror can help to reduce headlight glare.
• Headlights should be turned on before the sun goes down to make the car more visible.
• High beams should only be used when other drivers won't see them, such as on isolated roadways with little traffic.
• To compensate for reduced visibility, drive more slowly and at a greater following distance.

Information excerpted from the Parent's Supervised Driving Guide, a helpful resource for families with young drivers.

Never take risks at the railroad tracks

At railroad crossings, do not drive through, around or under any crossing gate while it is down, or being raised or lowered. Wait until the gates have raised, the signals have stopped flashing and you are sure all tracks are clear. At any crossing that does not have a signal or gate, slow down and look both ways. It can be fatal to ignore a signal or try to cross in front of a train. Trains take much longer to stop than automobiles – up to a mile in most cases. Be careful not to get "trapped" on railroad tracks by a line of vehicles backed up by a traffic signal. Never cross railroad tracks unless you are certain there is enough space for your vehicle beyond the tracks or the crossing gate.

Michigan residents have the opportunity to make a profound impact on the well-being of others by joining the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. Adding your name to the state registry of people willing to donate their organs, eyes and tissue will be the first step toward someday becoming a hero. When you join the registry, you receive a red heart emblem for your license, indicating  your decision that you want to help others through donation. It is always a good idea to share your decision with your family and to explain why it is important to you. Ruth Johnson Secretary of State

Teaching tip for parents

 Early in the training process, parental instruction tends to focus on vehicle handling. As your teen's skills improve, try to focus on "higher order" instruction, such as searching ahead, hazard detection, and anticipating the other driver's behavior.

Even after your teen is licensed, use time driving with them to instill habits of good judgment, accurate hazard anticipation and smart decision-making.

Choose car wisely for your novice driver

When selecting a vehicle for their teen driver, parents should consider how old the car is and the safety features it has and does not have.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently conducted a study that showed 48 percent of drivers ages 15 to 17 who died in car crashes between 2008 and 2012 were driving vehicles that were at least 11 years old.

Read more about the findings of the study in Autoweek.

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