Safe2Drive Blog

Getting a driver's license is a pretty big milestone for a teenager. After spending months learning the rules of the road and practicing with a parent or other supervising driver, they can finally get behind the wheel on their own.

For parents, though, this can be a big adjustment, too. You aren't sitting beside your teen anymore, reminding them to check their mirrors or telling them where to turn. They're making those decisions for themselves.

The first few months are a good time to establish some family rules for new teen drivers. State law already sets certain restrictions for young drivers, but families can have additional rules that make sense for their own situation. Talking about those expectations ahead of time can make it easier for your teen to know what to do when they're faced with a situation they didn't expect.

Here are five rules worth discussing before your teen starts driving independently.

1. Put the phone away while driving.

There shouldn't be any question about whether your teen can use their phone while driving. Texting, checking notifications, scrolling through social media, changing music, or responding to a message can all take their attention away from the road.

Have your teen put their phone somewhere they can't easily reach it before they start driving. If they use their phone for navigation, the route should be set before they leave. If they need to make a call, send a message, or change their navigation, they should pull over somewhere safe first. It can also help to establish this rule for everyone in the family. Teen drivers are more likely to take a rule seriously when they're seeing the adults around them follow it, too.

2. Everyone wears a seat belt.

Your teen needs to wear their seat belt every time they drive, even if they're only going a short distance. The same applies to every passenger they have in the vehicle. Getting into the habit of checking that everyone is buckled before pulling out of the driveway is a simple routine that can stick with them as they gain more driving experience.

This can be especially important when your teen starts driving friends around. They may feel awkward telling a friend to buckle up, so it's worth talking about that expectation before it happens.

3. Set clear expectations about nighttime driving.

Nighttime driving can be more difficult for a new driver. There is less visibility, headlights from other vehicles can create glare, and it can be harder to judge distances and recognize hazards in the dark.

Your teen's license may already have restrictions on nighttime driving, depending on your state. Make sure they know exactly what those restrictions are and when they apply. Your family can also establish its own rules. You might decide that your teen needs to be home by a certain time during the first few months or limit nighttime driving to specific situations. As your teen gets more experience, you can revisit those rules and decide whether they're still necessary.

4. Be careful about teen passengers.

Friends can be one of the biggest distractions for a new driver. A passenger may start a conversation, play loud music, show the driver something on their phone, or simply make the driver feel pressure to pay attention to what's happening inside the vehicle.

Many states have passenger restrictions for newly licensed teens, so make sure your teen understands the rules that apply to their license. You can also set a stricter family rule if you think that's appropriate.

For example, you might decide that your teen can only have one friend in the vehicle at first, even if state law allows more passengers. Fewer passengers can mean fewer distractions while your teen is still getting used to driving independently. Keep in mind, too, that siblings can be a big distraction as well.

5. Make a plan before your teen leaves.

A new driver may be comfortable driving familiar roads but feel less confident when they're suddenly somewhere they don't know. That's why it's helpful to have your teen think about where they're going before they pull out of the driveway.

If they're going somewhere unfamiliar, have them check the route ahead of time. They should know where they're going, have their navigation ready if they need it, and give themselves enough time to get there without rushing.

It's also worth talking about what should happen if the plan changes. Imagine your teen goes to an evening school event and plans to drive straight home afterward. While they're there, a friend tells them their ride fell through and asks your teen for a ride home. Your teen may know that you don't usually want them driving friends around at night, but they're standing there with a friend who needs help and may not know what you're going to say.

Talk about situations like this before they happen. Your family might have a rule that your teen needs to contact you before changing their plans, especially if the change involves another passenger, a different destination, or driving later than expected.

Family rules can be stricter than state law.

Your teen still has to follow all of the restrictions that come with their license. Those rules vary by state and can include limits on nighttime driving, passengers, and other conditions for new drivers.

However, state law doesn't have to be the only set of rules your family follows. You might decide that your teen needs to follow an earlier nighttime curfew than the law requires. You might limit the number of passengers they can carry or require them to check in when they arrive somewhere.

These kinds of family rules give parents and teens a chance to decide what they're comfortable with based on the teen's experience and the types of driving they'll be doing. As your teen gets more practice and becomes more comfortable handling different situations, you can adjust the rules.

Talk about the rules before something goes wrong.

Your teen is going to run into situations they haven't experienced before. They might get lost, encounter bad weather, have a friend ask for a ride, or realize they're going to be late getting home.

Those situations are much easier to handle when your teen already knows what you expect. Talk about the rules before your teen starts driving alone, and make sure they know when they should contact you. Most importantly, make sure they know they can call you if they don't feel comfortable handling a situation on their own.

For example, if your teen is driving home and the weather suddenly gets bad, they shouldn't feel like they have to keep driving just because they told you they'd be home at a certain time. They should be able to pull over, call and talk through their options.

The first 90 days give your teen a lot of opportunities to learn how to make decisions without a parent sitting beside them. Clear family rules can give them some direction while they're building that experience, and talking about those rules ahead of time can help prevent confusion when an unexpected situation comes up.

Interested in learning more about traffic safety?

Are you looking for defensive driving and traffic school courses? Do you want a discount on your auto insurance? Do you know a teen who’s ready to take an online driver education course?

Safe2Drive is here to help! We offer convenient online courses for drivers of any age! Visit our website today to learn about the online courses we offer in your state.

Getting a driver's license is a pretty big milestone for a teenager. After spending months learning the rules of the road and practicing with a parent or other supervising driver, they can finally get behind the wheel on their own.

I recently had to honk at a kid on an e-bike while I was making a left turn. He rode right out in front of me without seeming to notice that I was turning. Thankfully, I had enough time to react, but it got me thinking about how many kids are riding e-bikes around traffic without really understanding how to ride safely around vehicles.

E-bikes can be a lot of fun, and they can give kids more freedom to get around their neighborhoods and visit friends. But they’re also capable of traveling much faster than a traditional bicycle. Once a child is riding alongside vehicles, crossing intersections, and sharing the road with traffic, knowing how to balance and pedal isn’t enough.

Before buying your child an e-bike, it’s worth thinking about whether they’re actually ready to ride one around traffic.

An e-bike isn’t just a faster bicycle.

One of the biggest things parents need to consider is speed. An e-bike can make it easy for a young rider to travel much faster than they would on a regular bicycle. That extra speed changes how quickly a rider approaches an intersection, how much time they have to react to a vehicle, and how much time a driver has to see and respond to them.

A child who is comfortable riding a bicycle around the neighborhood might not yet have the judgment or experience needed to handle an e-bike around moving vehicles.

Your child needs to know the rules of the road.

If your child is going to ride an e-bike on streets where they’re interacting with traffic, they need to understand that traffic laws apply to them, too.

That means knowing what traffic signs and signals mean, riding in the appropriate direction, yielding when required, and understanding how to safely cross intersections. They also need to understand that having the right-of-way doesn’t mean they should stop paying attention to what drivers around them are doing.

This is especially important at intersections. A driver may be preparing to make a turn while an e-bike rider is approaching from the other direction. If the rider isn’t paying close enough attention, they may suddenly end up directly in the vehicle’s path. If the driver isn’t ready to stop on a dime, the rider is in big trouble.

Riding in the middle of the street creates a problem.

I’ve seen kids riding e-bikes in the middle of the street, sometimes without seeming to pay much attention to the vehicles around them. A rider who is occupying the travel lane needs to understand how their position affects traffic. They also need to be aware of what’s happening behind them and know how to respond when vehicles approach.

For a young rider, that can be a lot to manage at once. They’re supposed to be watching for cars, looking for signs and signals, deciding where to ride, and trying to control a bike that may be traveling at a fairly high speed. Parents should think about whether their child can handle all of that before allowing them to ride independently in traffic.

Paying attention matters just as much as wearing a helmet.

Helmets are important, but putting one on doesn’t make an otherwise unsafe ride safe. A child can be wearing a helmet and still ride through a stop sign, look down at their phone, cross in front of a turning vehicle, or fail to notice a car approaching.

Kids riding e-bikes need to keep their attention on what’s happening around them. That means no phone use while riding and no headphones or other distractions that make it harder to hear or notice traffic. They also need to understand that drivers may not see them right away, particularly when they’re coming from behind a parked vehicle, entering from a driveway, or approaching an intersection from an unexpected direction. They can’t assume a car will stop for them.

Don’t assume your child will make the same decisions you would.

You may know that your child is a good bike rider. They may follow directions at home and know what a stop sign means. But riding independently around traffic requires a different kind of judgment.

Before giving your child permission to ride an e-bike on their own, pay attention to how they handle situations that require them to make decisions. Do they look for traffic before entering an intersection? Do they stop when they’re supposed to? Do they notice what’s happening around them, or do they get distracted easily?

If your child tends to act first and think later, an e-bike may give them more speed and independence than they’re ready to handle.

Practice with them before sending them out alone.

If you decide your child is ready for an e-bike, don’t make the first ride an independent one. Ride with them and practice the situations they’re likely to encounter. Go over stop signs, traffic signals, turns, parked cars, driveways, and intersections. Practice having them look for approaching vehicles and make sure they understand when they need to stop and yield.

Watch how your child actually rides when you’re not constantly telling them what to do. That’s going to give you a much better idea of whether they’re ready to handle the responsibility on their own.

An e-bike can be a great responsibility, too.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to give your child more independence. An e-bike can be a convenient way for them to get around, spend time outside, and visit friends. But parents should consider more than whether their child knows how to ride one safely. An e-bike gives a young rider more speed and freedom. Make sure they’re ready for the responsibility that comes with both.

Interested in learning more about traffic safety?

Are you looking for defensive driving and traffic school courses? Do you want a discount on your auto insurance? Do you know a teen who’s ready to take an online driver education course?

Safe2Drive is here to help! We offer convenient online courses for drivers of any age! Visit our website today to learn about the online courses we offer in your state.

I recently had to honk at a kid on an e-bike while I was making a left turn. He rode right out in front of me without seeming to notice that I was turning. Thankfully, I had enough time to react, but it got me thinking about how many kids are riding e-bikes around traffic without really understanding how to ride safely around vehicles.

As a daily dog walker, I’ve noticed something that makes crossing the street harder than it should be: large SUVs stopped at intersections, often with the front of the vehicle extending into the crosswalk.

When a vehicle is stopped in the crosswalk, it forces us to step out of the designated crossing area and into the street. It can also block my view of approaching traffic and make it harder for drivers to see us as we’re crossing. Add in the fact that my rescue dog isn’t exactly known for his listening skills, and getting across the street safely can become a surprisingly complicated task.

For the driver, stopping a few feet too far forward might not seem like a big deal. From the sidewalk, though, that vehicle can become a physical and visual barrier between pedestrians and the traffic around them. And the larger the vehicle, the more significant that barrier can be.

Here’s the thing: it’s not only dangerous for pedestrians. Large SUVs and pickups can also create larger areas around the vehicle that are difficult for drivers to see, particularly close to the front and sides. New research suggests those visibility challenges deserve more attention.

A July 2026 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office examined how vehicle size, design, and turning maneuvers can affect visibility and pedestrian and cyclist safety. The report found that SUVs and vans were getting in fatal pedestrian crashes during turning maneuvers at a much higher rate than smaller cars in the same circumstance.

That doesn’t mean every SUV is dangerous or that all drivers of larger vehicles are doing something wrong. I actually drive an SUV myself! What it does mean is that if you drive a larger vehicle, it’s important to understand what you can and can’t see from the driver’s seat, and to take extra care around pedestrians, especially at intersections and crosswalks.

1. Know where your vehicle’s blind zones are.

Every vehicle has areas that are harder for the driver to see, but larger vehicles can create particularly significant blind zones around the front and sides. The height of the hood, vehicle design, mirrors, A-pillars, and the driver’s seating position can all affect visibility.

Take the time to learn what you can and can’t see from the driver’s seat. Don’t assume that because you have a clear view through the windshield, you can see everything directly in front of or beside your vehicle.

2. Keep crosswalks clear.

One of the simplest things drivers can do to make intersections safer is to leave the crosswalk clear. When traffic is backed up, don’t move forward just because the light is green. If there’s not enough room for your entire vehicle beyond the intersection, wait before entering it. Stopping in the crosswalk can force pedestrians around your vehicle and can block their view of approaching traffic.

For someone walking with a dog, pushing a stroller, using a mobility device, or walking with someone who is visually impaired, having to move around a vehicle that has blocked the crosswalk can create an unnecessary challenge and put them closer to moving traffic.

3. Take extra care before turning.

Turning is one situation where pedestrians can be especially difficult to spot. You’re watching for traffic, checking the roadway you’re entering, and potentially looking around your vehicle’s A-pillar at the same time.

Before turning, check the crosswalk and sidewalk carefully. Look in both directions and make sure there isn’t someone hidden by another vehicle or by your own vehicle’s blind zone. If you can’t see the entire area you’re entering, slow down and take another look before proceeding.

4. Don’t rely only on cameras and sensors.

Cameras and sensors can be useful, but they’re not a replacement for paying attention to your surroundings. Use your mirrors, look through your windows, and check the areas around your vehicle when appropriate.

Before moving, make sure you’ve actually identified what’s around your vehicle rather than assuming a camera or sensor has detected everything. You should also understand the limitations of your vehicle’s safety systems.

5. Give pedestrians a clear and predictable path.

A safe intersection isn’t just one where a driver can get through without hitting anyone. Pedestrians need a clear path where they can see traffic and where drivers have a good opportunity to see them.

That can be especially important for people who are blind or visually impaired. A blind pedestrian may use traffic sounds and other environmental cues to understand where vehicles are and when it’s safe to cross. A vehicle stopped where it shouldn’t be can interfere with those cues and make the crossing more difficult to navigate.

SUVs, pickups, and other larger vehicles aren’t inherently unsafe, but their size and design can create visibility challenges that drivers need to understand. Keep crosswalks clear, know your blind zones, look carefully before turning, and take the time to make sure you can actually see the people sharing the road with you.

Interested in learning more about traffic safety?

Are you looking for defensive driving and traffic school courses? Do you want a discount on your auto insurance? Do you know a teen who’s ready to take an online driver education course?

Safe2Drive is here to help! We offer convenient online courses for drivers of any age! Visit our website today to learn about the online courses we offer in your state.

As a daily dog walker, I’ve noticed something that makes crossing the street harder than it should be: large SUVs stopped at intersections, often with the front of the vehicle extending into the crosswalk.

It’s harvest season! That means more tractors, combines, and other farm equipment on rural roads. These vehicles play an important role in getting crops harvested, but they can also create challenging situations for drivers who aren’t used to sharing the road with large, slow-moving equipment.

Growing up in rural Ohio, farm equipment was super common. My high school even participated in Drive Your Tractor to School Day! So I know how frustrating it can be to get stuck behind slow-moving farm equipment on your commute. Farm equipment may take up more than one lane, have limited visibility, and need extra room to turn. When you come across farm equipment on the road, slowing down and giving the operator plenty of space can help everyone get where they’re going safely.

Watch for slow-moving vehicle emblems.

Many tractors, combines, and other types of farm equipment traveling on public roads display a slow-moving vehicle emblem. The emblem is a reflective orange triangle that warns approaching drivers that the vehicle is traveling at a slow speed.

When you see the emblem ahead, slow down and prepare to encounter a vehicle moving very slowly. Don’t wait until you’re close to the equipment to reduce your speed. Give yourself plenty of time to adjust and look for changes in the roadway.

Give farm equipment plenty of following distance.

It’s important to leave extra space when following a tractor, combine, or other large piece of farm equipment. These vehicles may stop suddenly, slow down for a turn, or move around obstacles in the roadway.

A larger following distance also gives you a better view of what’s happening ahead. If the equipment blocks your view of the road, you’ll need additional time and space to react to whatever is beyond it.

Remember that farm equipment has limited visibility.

A large tractor or combine usually has significant blind spots around the vehicle. The operator may not be able to see a passenger vehicle approaching from behind or alongside them. Don’t assume that the operator knows you’re there. Stay out of blind spots whenever possible, and give the equipment plenty of room when you’re approaching, following, or passing.

It’s also important to remember that the equipment operator may be focused on navigating a large vehicle through a narrow roadway, managing nearby traffic, or preparing for a turn, so they may not notice you.

Don’t assume a farm vehicle moving right is pulling over.

One of the most important things to remember around farm equipment is that a vehicle moving toward the right side of the road may be preparing to make a wide left turn. For example, imagine you’re following a combine on a two-lane rural road. The combine is moving slowly, and you see it gradually move toward the right side of the road. It might seem like the operator is giving you room to pass.

But the combine may actually be positioning itself to make a wide left turn into a field or farm entrance. If you immediately move into the opposite lane to pass, you could put yourself directly in the path of the turning equipment. Instead, slow down, stay behind the vehicle, and watch for a turn signal or other indication of the operator’s intentions.

Only pass farm equipment when the road ahead is completely clear.

If passing is permitted and you decide to pass farm equipment, make sure you have a clear view of the roadway ahead and enough time and space to complete the maneuver safely.

Don’t pass when you’re approaching a hill, curve, intersection, bridge, or other location where your view is limited. You also shouldn’t pass if oncoming traffic is close enough that you can’t safely complete the maneuver.

Remember that farm equipment can be much wider and longer than a passenger vehicle. You may need considerably more time to get around it than you expect. Before passing, check for traffic in the opposite direction, make sure you have enough room, and watch the farm equipment for signs that it may be turning.

Be patient when traffic slows down.

During harvest season, you may encounter several pieces of farm equipment traveling together or entering and leaving fields. This can slow traffic on roads that are normally quiet. Consider leaving the house a little earlier than usual during this season.

Give wide turns plenty of room.

Tractors, combines, and other large agricultural vehicles may need to use part of the opposite lane or move toward one side of the road before making a turn. Don’t try to squeeze between the equipment and the edge of the roadway while it’s turning. Stay back and give the operator enough room to complete the maneuver.

Be prepared for unexpected movements.

Farm equipment doesn’t always travel through rural roads in the same way passenger vehicles do. An operator may need to slow down for a field entrance, move around an obstacle, cross the road, or make a wide turn.

Stay alert and expect the equipment to move slowly or change position. Avoid distractions and keep both hands available to control your vehicle if the equipment’s movement requires you to react.

Seeing farm equipment on the road is a normal part of harvest season in rural areas. The best response is to slow down, stay alert, and give large agricultural vehicles the space they need.

Interested in learning more about traffic safety?

Are you looking for defensive driving and traffic school courses? Do you want a discount on your auto insurance? Do you know a teen who’s ready to take an online driver education course?

Safe2Drive is here to help! We offer convenient online courses for drivers of any age! Visit our website today to learn about the online courses we offer in your state.

It’s harvest season! That means more tractors, combines, and other farm equipment on rural roads. These vehicles play an important role in getting crops harvested, but they can also create challenging situations for drivers who aren’t used to sharing the road with large, slow-moving equipment.