Teen Driver Updates from Secretary of State Ruth Johnson

Teen Driver Updates from Secretary of State Ruth Johnson
truck on highway

Be cautious around trucks

When driving on the freeway, you are at a serious disadvantage if involved in a crash with a larger vehicle. In crashes involving large trucks, the occupants of a car - usually the driver - sustain 78 percent of fatalities.

In order to keep you and your teen safe on the road, you should be extra cautious when driving around large trucks and buses. Sharing the road with larger vehicles can be dangerous if you are not aware of their limitations. Here are a few tips to help you drive safer to prevent a crash and minimize injuries and fatalities if one does occur.

Cutting in front can cut your life short: If you cut in front of another vehicle, you may create an emergency braking situation for the vehicles around you, especially in heavy traffic. Trucks and buses take much longer to stop in comparison to cars. When passing, look for the front of the truck in your rearview mirror before pulling in front, and avoid braking situations.

Watch your blind spots - the "No-Zones": Large trucks have blind spots, or No-Zones, around the front, back, and sides of the vehicle. These No-Zones make it difficult for the driver to see. Avoid being caught in a truck's No-Zones. If you can't see the truck driver in the truck's mirror, the truck driver can't see you.

Avoid squeeze play: Be careful of trucks making wide right turns. If you try to get in between the truck and the curb, you'll be caught in a "squeeze" crash. Truck drivers sometimes need to swing wide to the left in order to safely negotiate a right turn. They can't see cars directly behind or beside them. Cutting in between the truck and the curb increases the possibility of a crash. So pay attention to truck signals and give them lots of room to maneuver.

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


Tips for potholes

It is pothole season in Michigan and young drivers especially should be aware of how they form and what can be done to minimize the danger they present to motorists.

pothole

The Michigan Department of Transportation website has good resources, including a diagram of The Birth of a Pothole, tips for dealing with potholes, and a pothole reporting system so the traffic hazards can be repaired.

It is best to avoid hitting potholes so driving cautiously with proper following distance is important in order to have time to react when you encounter one on the roadway.

SoS Johnson

When going through a designated work area, pay close attention to the posted speed limits.

For most construction, maintenance or surveying activities, the speed limit is 45 mph unless posted differently. Work zones may limit speeds to 45 mph where workers are present, yet allow traffic to return to the normally posted speed when workers are absent.

Always keep in mind that fines are doubled for all moving violations in work zones.

Ruth Johnson
Secretary of State


texting at wheel

Talk, text or tweet later

Using a cell phone or texting while driving can distract you from the vitally important responsibility of operating your vehicle in a safe manner.

It also increases the chances you will be in a crash and someone will be injured or killed. Safe driving requires close attention and good reflexes, both of which can be negatively affected by using communication devices.

If you must call or text someone, the best practice is to do so while your vehicle is safely parked.


Steer out of a skid

If your vehicle begins to skid, remain calm and do the following:

  1. Take your foot off the accelerator or brake.
  2. Turn the front wheels only enough to keep them pointed in the direction you want to go and no farther.
  3. Be prepared for a secondary skid in the opposite direction.
  4. Again, turn the wheels in the direction you want to go.
  5. Then, straighten the wheels to bring the vehicle under control.