Top Driver

Putting A Stop to Illinois Traffic Fatalities

Traffic fatalities are on the rise in the state of Illinois. In the first seven months of 2012, 559 traffic related deaths were reported, as compared to 478 during the same period of the previous year. If you are the parent of a teen who is ready to enroll in driving school, it is important to be aware of traffic safety and fatality prevention in our state. Here’s how Illinois is working to put a stop to traffic fatalities:

Improved Infrastructure

The design of a road has a great impact on driver safety and collision prevention. When roads are replaced or redesigned, driving safety will be increased by creating more visible signage, easy-to-follow lane lines, and improved pedestrian walkways. By helping drivers to easily follow the road, improved roadways encourage drivers to navigate more effectively and practice safe driving techniques.

IDOT Message Boards

The Illinois Department of Transportation is working to raise awareness of the rising number of traffic fatalities. Electronic message boards can now be updated to display a running tally of traffic deaths in Illinois. By placing this signage in visible areas on the highway, IDOT is helping to remind drivers that safety should be their top priority when they are out on the road.

Zero Fatality Goal

Illinois has committed to reducing the number of traffic deaths by instituting a Zero Fatality goal. The Zero Fatality program has been designed to raise public knowledge of driving safety. By encouraging the residents of Illinois to take a stand against traffic fatalities, the Zero Fatality spreads the message that motorists need to practice safe and appropriate driving techniques at all times behind the wheel.

To provide your teen driver with the best possible driving safety knowledge and education, enroll in a class at Top Driver. Our Chicago center provides state-of-the-art drivers education services, and we well known for our innovative and effective teaching techniques. Call us at (888) 471-5418 to learn more about how we can teach your teen about the importance of driving safety. 

How Do Seatbelts Help Prevent Auto Accident Injuries?

Safe driving techniques are the cornerstone of accident prevention. In the event that you do experience an accident, your car’s seatbelts are one of the most important elements for keeping you safe and secure. Here’s how seatbelts help prevent auto accident injuries:

Seatbelts Prevent Auto Ejection

Occupants that are ejected from the vehicle during a crash are more likely to be injured than those who remain inside. Your seatbelt is designed to keep you safely inside your vehicle, where the car’s other safety features will protect you.

Seatbelts Provide Body Support

The seatbelt supports your shoulders and hips, which are the strongest parts of your body. By connecting to these strong areas, a seatbelt will prevent any one body part from experiencing harm and stress. The force of the collision will be spread over a wide area of the body, which helps to minimize the force of the impact.

Seatbelts Help Slow Down the Crash

Your car is designed to crush down in specific areas during a collision. This crushing action helps slow down the speed of the crash, and will increase the stopping distance of the vehicle. A seatbelt will secure you to the interior of your car, and help you slowly ride out the crash along with the vehicle. 

Seatbelts Keep Occupants From Striking One Another

If rear seat occupants are thrown to the front during a collision, they can cause injury to another person as well as themselves. Seatbelts keep each occupant in place, preventing them from striking one another. This is why it is important for every occupant to wear a seatbelt at all times.

By enrolling your teen in a driver training course, you will learn safe driving techniques that will help prevent a collision. At Top Driver of Chicago, our driving school staff will provide you with the knowledge needed to become a safe and experienced driver. Call our state-of-the-art driver education center (888) 471-5418 to enroll today!  

How to Safely Use the Center Lane

The center lane on a roadway is designed for drivers who are making left hand turns. To safely use the center lane, be sure that you only enter this lane if you are intending to make a left turn. To prepare for your turn, scan the road to make sure that the center lane is clear. Then, merge into the center lane a few hundred feet before you intend to make your turn. Once you are safely positioned in the center lane, check for oncoming traffic. If necessary, you can wait in the center lane to yield to oncoming traffic. When the oncoming lane is clear, you are safe to make your left hand turn.

For more helpful safe driving techniques, contact Top Driver. Our drivers’ education facilities provide new drivers with an interactive and stimulating learning environment. Call our Chicago driving school at (888) 471-5418 to learn more about enrolling in one of our acclaimed driver training courses. 

What Parents Can Do to Help Keep Their Teen Driver Safe

Parental involvement is a crucial component of teen driving safety. Parents should set clear driving rules to make sure that their teens do not drive at night and that they are not driving with passengers.  Teens should also always check in with parents to let them know where they will be headed on their drive. For more information about teen driver safety, watch this video from AAA. 

At Top Driver, we are committed to educating both teens and parents about driving safety. Our parent driver training will provide you with the tools needed to teach your teen safe driving techniques. To learn more about the driving education we offer for teens and their parents, call our Chicago driving school at (888) 471-5418. 

Safe Driving in Low-Visibility Situations

Winter in the Chicagoland area is filled with driving hazards. Fog and heavy snowfall are all commonplace. Remembering a few key tips can help you drive more safely in these conditions.

First, remember to keep your headlight beams low during blizzards and storms. High beams will simply reflect off of snow and raindrops, making it more difficult to see. If visibility is very low, greatly reduce your speed and follow the painted lines on the road closely. This will help you to safely navigate through twists and turns in the road.

At Top Driver, we offer safe driving tips through our complete drivers’ training programs. From locations throughout the Chicagoland area, we offer programs for both new and experienced drivers. Call us at (888) 471-5418 to learn more.