Western Slope Driving Institute Blog

Can You Drive to School with a Driver's Permit?

WSDI Staff — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 17:58:35 GMT

The short answer is yes and no.

The Colorado teen driver’s permit lets you drive a vehicle, but there are restrictions attached to it.

This blog post will discuss what you can and cannot do with a driver’s permit.

What you cannot do with a driver’s permit

The state of Colorado implements a Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) program that increasingly grants driving privileges to minor drivers as they become more knowledgeable and gain more experience behind the wheel.

Here are the restrictions teen drivers with permits need to know:

You cannot drive alone. A parent, legal guardian, driving instructor, or a licensed adult at least 21 years old must be with you in the front seat at all times.
Seat belts are mandatory for all teen drivers and their passengers. Seat belt sharing is prohibited.
Cellphone use is not allowed.

Driving to school with a driver’s permit

Now, we go back to the question: If you are under 18, can you drive to school with a driver’s permit?

Yes, if you are accompanied by a parent or guardian, driving instructor, or an authorized licensed adult aged 21 and older. Otherwise, no, you cannot.

The same rule applies to driving to work. Unless with the presence of an adult in the front seat, there is simply no way you can drive your way to work.

The bottom line, therefore, is this: A driver’s permit allows you to drive only if your parent or legal guardian, a driving instructor, or a licensed adult is with you in the front seat, buckled up.

Don't fret, however. The moment you obtain a driver’s license, you can start driving to and from school or work unsupervised. So take advantage of the provisions of your driving permit and the presence of a licensed, knowledgeable adult to gain as much driving knowledge and experience.

From driver’s permit to driver’s license

If you are a teen driver in Colorado, the driver’s permit is your first step towards obtaining a full, unrestricted driving license.

Upon issuance of your driving permit, you can start logging the practice driving hours required to apply for a driver’s license - a total 50 hours, 10 of which for driving at night.

If you are under 18, you must practice driving with a driving instructor, parent, legal guardian, or any authorized licensed adult aged 21 and above.

If you are younger than 16 ½, an additional six hours behind-the-wheel training with an instructor from an accredited driving institution must also be logged.

This requirement, however, does not apply to teen drivers living in areas where no driving schools exist within 30 miles. As a substitute, you can log an additional 12 hours of supervised training on your timesheet.

Final word

Driving to school on their own is one of those things most teenagers want to be able to do. While a driving permit restricts you from driving alone, it is your ticket to obtaining a driver’s license, which will ultimately allow you the freedom to drive alone, provided you follow all applicable rules and regulations.

If your teenager needs help with their driving permit, Western Slope Driving Institute can help. Our team of instructors includes former law enforcers and first responders. Call us today for any questions you may have.

How Many Questions Are on the Permit Test?

WSDI Staff — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 19:46:15 GMT

Indeed, how many questions are there?

In the state of Colorado, the written driver’s test includes a total 25 questions. To get a passing score, you must correctly answer at least 20 of those questions, or obtain a grade of 80%. If you fail the test, you can retake the test the following day, if you feel like it. (Depending on which data you are looking at, first-time applicants who fail the permit test run anywhere from 44% to 70% of the total number of test takers.)

Although Colorado allows permit test applicants to retake the exam multiple times without penalty, we advise you to take a step back and reflect on what went wrong before you give it another shot.

Were you prepared enough?
Did nervousness get the better of you?
Did you adopt the dangerous “I already know these things” mindset and went to the exam venue thinking you would pass with flying colors without studying?

Preparing for the permit test

The driver’s permit test, which is one of two major tests every Colorado teenage driver must pass to obtain a driver’s license (the second is the actual road test), is a written exam that measures any prospective driver’s knowledge of safe driving rules and Colorado’s driving laws. While it is “written,” with the installation of the Colorado Automated Testing System, the test is taken electronically.

Note that aside from the written test, you should also pass the vision test to get your provisional driver’s license.

What type of questions should you expect?

Questions on the permit test include real-life driving scenarios that gauge your knowledge on several topics, such as:

Traffic signs
Colorado driving laws
Driving under the influence
Safety rules
Applicable legal items

What can you do to pass the exam?

You know what they say about success: “Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.”

In other words, the only way to guarantee a passing score is to prepare for the permit test adequately. Depending on your learning preference, availability, and other factors, there are several things you can do:

Study the Colorado driver’s manual. You can download the Colorado Driver’s Handbook here. It tells you everything you need to know about driving in the state of Colorado.
Download online practice tests. Practice questions can be found on various online sites, such as Driving-Tests.org. Google “Colorado driver’s permit practice test” to start your search. Both free and paid options are available.
Enroll in a driver’s ed course from a DMV-recognized driving institution. Western Slope Driving Institute’s Parker driver’s ed course is a state-approved training course for prospective drivers, and even long-time drivers who want to brush up on their knowledge of Colorado’s driving laws.

On the day of the test, always remember to:

Relax. Jitters and nervousness can cause your mind to go blank and forget everything you have learned.
Get enough sleep. You do not want to fail the exam because you are too tired to focus.

Final word

The road to obtaining a driver’s license can be nerve-wracking, but with knowledge comes confidence. Remember: When it comes to the Colorado driver’s permit test, preparation plus adoption of the right mindset can do you no wrong.

If you need expert help to prepare for the Colorado permit test, WSDI's instructors, who are former law enforcers and first responders, can guide you in the right direction. Call us for any questions

What Happens If I Fail My Permit Test?

WSDI Staff — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 17:16:39 GMT

“What happens if I do not pass the written permit test?”

This is a question we often hear from students as the day of their exam draws nearer. It is a valid concern and a question worth asking.

What if despite months of preparation, you experience a bad case of the jitters and your mind goes blank? What if you run out of prep time because you are busy juggling work and school? Or maybe, despite your better judgment and your mom’s constant reminders, you allow laziness to kick in and spend the days and nights leading up to exam day doing everything except study for the test.

What to do if you fail the permit test in Colorado

Retake the exam

There is simply no way around it: You cannot get a learner’s permit - or a driver’s license - without passing the permit test. Like it or not, you will have to retake the exam.

Different states follow different rules regarding the number of times students can take the driver’s permit test. If you fail your permit test in Colorado, you can take it again without penalty, even immediately the following day if you need to.

If absolutely necessary, you can also take the test multiple times until you finally obtain a passing score.

The exam can be retaken either at the DMV office near you or an approved third-party testing facility (such as on of the Western Slope Driving Institute locations).

Study and take practice tests

In a previous blog post, we listed several ways to best prepare for the permit test:

Study the Colorado driving manual. You can download the Colorado Driver’s Handbook from this link.
Take online tests and follow study guides. Free and paid practice tests abound online. Take the time to study a few of them.
Enroll in a formal driver’s ed course from a certified driving school. If you feel the need to enroll in a professional driver’s training, WSDI’s driver’s ed program covers lessons that can help you pass the driving test.
Schedule study sessions with your parents. Go over the Colorado driving manual with your parents or take the practice tests together.

Learn from your mistakes

Pay attention to the practice tests you take. Take note of the mistakes you make and learn from them.

Manage your anxiety

If nervousness and jitters were a prime reason for you failing your written permit test, learn to manage them. This infographic on how to deal with stress and anxiety offers tons of actionable tips.

Beware of overconfidence

Confidence is one thing. But too much of it that you end up overestimating your abilities is another. Make sure you're not overly-confident that you'll pass the first time.

Final word

Failing the driver’s permit test is upsetting, but it should not mark the end of your journey to obtaining a license. Unlike other states that limit the test fee to a maximum number of takes or a particular timeframe, Colorado driving laws allow you to take the exam multiple times without penalty, even one day later, if needed.

And if you so choose, you may take the test at a third-party testing center instead of the DMV.

If your teenager or someone you know needs help with the Colorado permit test, our Parker driver’s ed course is facilitated by a team of expert instructors whose backgrounds include law enforcement and first response. Call us today for any questions you may have.

How to Talk to Your Kids about Driving Under the Influence

WSDI Staff — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 22:45:00 GMT

Raising a teen is no easy feat. Raising a teen with teenage friends who drink and drive is even tougher - mainly because peer pressure among teenagers is real. Parents cannot be with their kids 24/7 to make sure that they're not drinking underage, or even drinking and driving, so what's a concerned parent to do?

Check out the following statistics compiled by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)

2016 saw a total 10,497 deaths in car crashes in the United States, which was equivalent to 28 people per day
Drunk driving crashes result in about 800 injured people daily
More than 30% of teenagers believe they drive better when under marijuana influence
Every year, 4,300 teenagers die from alcohol use, a number higher than all illegal drugs combined
About 70% of teenagers binge-drink, but only 10% of parents believe their children do so

Campaign ads and other awareness efforts cite similar numbers to make teenagers aware of the dangers of driving under the influence (DUI). While there is no question that information drives are instrumental in informing the public at large of the dire consequences of underage drinking, teenagers are still likely to drive under the influence if parents do not step in and talk with them.

DUI and Your Teenage Driver

Parents play a pivotal role in the drive against DUI. Although schools include lessons on alcohol and other illegal substances in their curriculums, parental advice, when done right, carries far more meaningful impact. There is scientific evidence, after all, that parents and their parenting styles can counter the negative influence adolescent social networks wield on teenagers, especially when it comes to substance abuse.

That said, here is how you can talk to your kids about driving under the influence:

1. Talk about substance abuse matter-of-factly

Take the emotional charge out of the discussion. Do not scare them into believing that drugs and alcohol are evil. Instead, give them the established, unadulterated facts. Teenagers nowadays have access to various types of information, and exaggerations and false claims can tarnish your credibility.

2. Establish behavior expectations

Set behavior expectations for your child as early as the age of 9 to 11. Establish a zero tolerance for drinking because even so-called “supervised” underage drinking can result in DUI and alcohol abuse in later life. However, if your teenager is drinking, you might want to establish some expectations.

Some parents should consider creating ways for their teen driver to ask for help, even if they have been drinking. This can help your teenager out of “peer pressure” situations they do not want to be in and can keep them from feeling as if they need to drive home drunk to keep from getting in trouble.

Of course, you don't want to encourage underage drinking, but it's critical to live up to the agreement you've made. Keep your end of the bargain here, and if you have to bail them out of a bad situation, keep your end of the bargain. Doing otherwise may discourage them from asking for your help the next time around.

3. Be a good role model

Teenagers look up to their parents, even besting athletes and celebrities as role models. Needless to say, exhibit good driving behavior, especially in the presence of your teenage driver, and ensure you are a responsible adult drinker yourself.

Don't text when driving with your kids in the car if you want them to practice safe driving. Even more, don't be an aggressive driver, as it will make your teenage driver more prone to picking up poor driving habits.

4. Do not be afraid to follow through

You know what they say about repetition - it is the mother of learning. No parent relishes the idea of their teenager rolling their eyes at them whenever they say something they think is vital for their child’s well-being, but constant reminders let your teenage driver know that you expect good behavior from them.

If you find your teen engaging in underage drinking, enact the agreed-upon punishment but do not go overboard. Confiscating their license, for example, should be enough to let them know that you mean business and that they are accountable for their behavior.

Final word

Driving under the influence among teenage drivers is a problem with a solution that starts at home, while the kids are still young.

Although it is a subject that can be tackled during parent-taught driver’s ed sessions, enrolling your child in a risk reduction course in a Colorado driving school such as Western Slope Driving Institute can also help. If you have any questions on how we can do just that, please contact us today.

The Cost of Drunk Driving

WSDI Staff — Mon, 23 Oct 2017 21:05:00 GMT

Drinking and driving are two things that should never go together in Colorado traffic laws. And yet, many drivers still drink and drive, as illustrated in this MADD.org infographics created by Mile High Honda. Some of the statistical highlights include:

33% of drunk drivers are repeat offenders
33% of people will become involved in accidents related to drunk driving in their lifetime
The average drunk driver has driven drunk 80+ times before getting caught

Drunk driving affects not just drivers but everyone on the road. Aside from accidents that can cause someone to be gravely injured or even lose their life, the erring driver can spend time in jail or be made to pay higher insurance premiums and other applicable fees.

The cost of drunk driving

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s statistics on impaired driving are alarming: 28 deaths per day in vehicle crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers, which translates to one death every 51 minutes and a cost totaling $44 billion.

Drinking and driving in Colorado is a top concern among law enforcers. If you are a driver and gets arrested and convicted for drunk driving, the consequences are hefty:

DUI cost of $10,000
Criminal offense on your record for life
License revocation
Possible jail time
Alcohol education and rehabilitation for as long as 9 months
Probation
Community service
Potential job loss

Preventing drinking and driving

If you are of legal age and have no health issues that can be exacerbated by alcohol consumption, there is absolutely no harm in enjoying occasional nights out with friends. But remember your limit. Never insist on driving if you know you had too much to drink. Better yet, arrange for someone to drive you home if you know you will be consuming alcohol.

If your friend or someone you know is about to drive drunk, do not just be a bystander. Take away their keys and the possibility of them hurting themselves or others, destroying properties, or getting apprehended for DUI.

Preventing your teenage driver from driving drunk

Adolescence is largely about peer pressure and fitting in, and often, teenagers engage in risky behaviors for all the wrong reasons. This is where parenting plays a critical role. A parenting expert and TODAY contributor offers some tips:

Set clearly defined house rules against drinking
Make alcohol difficult to access at home
Because peer pressure is real, create a passcode with your teen to help them out of situations they would rather not be in
If you suspect your teen is drinking and driving, talk to them and explain the unnecessary risks they are taking
Know your child’s friends and get them to understand and respect the “no liquor” policy your teenage driver needs to uphold

Final word

Drunk driving can prove fatal. While peer pressure is no doubt a factor that can cause teenage drivers to carelessly gamble with their lives, as experts have proven, parental intervention plays a pivotal role in lessening the chances of teenagers engaging in risky driving behavior.

If you need help making your child understand the possibly devastating impact of driving impaired, Western Slope Driving Institute offers driving lessons in Parker, Colorado, Grand Junction, and Littleton. Lessons are facilitated by former traffic law enforcers and other first responders.

Call us today for any questions you may have about drunk driving and Colorado traffic laws.

For more information on the Costs of Drunk Driving, check out the infographic below from Mile High Honda.

How to Jumpstart Your Car

WSDI Staff — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 00:15:00 GMT

If your car will not start, chances are you have a discharged or weak battery. One way around this is to jumpstart your vehicle.

Knowing how to jumpstart your car is a skill any driver should possess. Batteries going dead can happen from leaving a light on in your car, or from your car battery is too old. You do not want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere and calling roadside assistance if a simple jumpstart is all your car needs.

How to jumpstart a car

What you will need:

Jumper cables
A working car that has a similar-sized engine as your car
Rubber gloves
Safety goggles
Wire brush to clean off dirty terminals

What to keep in mind before attempting to jumpstart your car:

Jumpstarting a car can be dangerous. When done carelessly, it can result in injury or damage to your vehicle.
Refer to the owner’s manual of both vehicles for any special instructions.
Wear gloves or safety goggles when attempting to jumpstart a car.
If your car’s battery is leaking, do not proceed any further. Jumpstarting a cracked battery can cause an explosion. The acid can also damage your eyes. (More information in this article on how to tell if your battery is leaking.)

Next, follow the steps below to jumpstart your car:

#1. Prepare your jumper cables.

Jumper cables are an item that should be included in your driving emergency kit at all times. If for some reason you do not have them in the vehicle, pray that the motorist who stops by to help out also carries jumper cables in their car.

#2. Park the cars or put them in neutral mode next to each other.

Ensure they are not touching. Turn off both cars’ ignition. Take the keys out to make sure nothing accidentally happens. Then, open the hoods.

#3. Attach your jumper cables to both car’s batteries.

Connect one of the red clips to the positive terminal on the working car’s battery and the other red clip to the positive terminal on the flat battery (your car’s battery.) Connect one black clip to the negative terminal on the working battery and the other end to an unpainted metal surface on your vehicle that is not sitting near the battery.

When you are done attaching, your cables should look similar to this:

Image credit goes to Dummies.com

#4. Start the working car’s engine.

After a minute of running the working car, try starting your car with the dead battery. If it does not start, make sure the jumper cables are properly attached. Ask the other car’s driver to keep his engine running for five minutes but make sure to switch it off when the battery terminals become too hot.

#5. Try starting your car again.

If the vehicle still will not budge, time to call the professionals for help. Your car may be in far bigger trouble.

#6. If the jump successfully gets your car running, do not immediately shut off the engine.

Keep it running for several more minutes to keep charging the battery.

#7. Remove the jumper cables in the reverse order you attached them.

Take extra care to keep the ends separated and to not touch any metal surfaces.

#8. Drive around for at least 30 minutes or keep the engine running.

This will make sure your car's battery will not be dead when you come back later to start it again.

Still need some help jumpstarting your car? Check out this helpful video:

Final word

Just the idea of jumpstarting a car can be daunting for a teenage driver, but it is a valuable roadside skill that can get them out of sticky situations.

If you are looking for a driving school in Colorado that will teach Denver’s driver’s ed to your teenager, Western Slope Driving Institute employs driving experts and former law enforcement professionals to help students with practical skills that will benefit them for life such as parallel parking tips.

Get in touch with us today for any questions you may have.

What is a Defensive Driving Course?

WSDI Staff — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 14:45:00 GMT

Even for the most careful of drivers, there is no telling what can happen while on the road. Some things you simply have no control over, such as the actions of other drivers, as well as poor weather and road conditions.

As such, honing your defensive driving skills can go a long way in avoiding the dangers that may arise from people’s bad driving behaviors or unpleasant driving circumstances.

What is defensive driving?

Defensive driving is the practice of training for adaptability behind the wheel and goes beyond just mastering the driving basics and the rules of the road. It aims to reduce collision risk and other driving incidents by anticipating dangerous situations caused by adverse weather conditions or the mistakes of others.

At Western Slope Driving Institute, we teach aspects of defensive driving in our courses. Because all of our instructors are retired or active police officers, you can rest assured that we can provide the best possible driving education to teenagers.

So exactly what aspects of defensive driving does WSDI teach in its courses? Here are a few of them.

1. How to plan ahead

Planning ahead includes leaving early to make allowances for traffic, poor weather, special road conditions, and unforeseen circumstances.

It can also mean planning the best route, using maps or navigation systems for routes you are not familiar with, looking for a suitable driver for certain trips, scheduling a parent-taught driver’s ed practice session with your teen driver ahead of time, or asking a family member to limit their driving.

2. How to avoid distractions

Driving is not just about keeping your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. It also requires that you focus on driving and avoid things that sidetrack you, such as calling or texting, eating or drinking, talking with passengers, browsing social media, fiddling with the stereo dials, taking pictures, and so on.

Distraction-free driving allows you to respond fast to driving emergencies.

3. How to control your speed

Traveling beyond the speed limit is against the law for a reason: It puts not just your life at risk but those of others on the road as well. While you can wiggle your way out of a speeding ticket in certain situations, there is no turning back time if speeding results in a fatal crash.

4. How to keep a safe distance

Keep a safe following distance between you and other drivers. This ensures you have an escape route and have enough room to perform evasive maneuvers when needed.

5. Do not expect other drivers to do what they should be doing

No matter how hard you try, you cannot control your fellow motorists - the sooner you accept this as a fact of driving life, the better for you. There are driving rules, but while every driver is expected to follow them, not everyone is keen on doing so. Expecting the worst when driving allows you to drive with caution and avoid possibly dangerous situations.

Other lessons you can learn with basic defensive driving courses:

State traffic laws
Facts and statistics about traffic crashes
Crash prevention techniques
The consequences of driving under the influence (DUI)
How your mental state affects your driving (ex: anger can lead to aggressive driving and road rage)
The importance of seat belts and other driving safety equipment

Final word

Defensive driving is a skill a driver of any age must learn and cultivate. Safe and responsible driving saves lives, after all.

Would you like to enroll your teen driver in a defensive driving course? WSDI can help. We even offer custom driving courses specific to your child’s needs. Call us today so we can discuss how we can assist you.

What to Expect from Your Teen Driver's Carpool

WSDI Staff — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 18:41:00 GMT

While parents want their kids to grow into productive and independent members of society, teen drivers getting their driver’s license is often a cause for worry. Teen driving statistics are nothing to smile about, and the numbers consistently peg teenage drivers as the most dangerous of the different driver age groups.

With students now back to school, parents contend with the possibility of teen drivers picking up their friends - another reason for concern, as studies have shown that the more people in the car, the more likely 16- to 17-year-old drivers to become involved in fatal crashes.

This article shows you what to expect from your teen driver’s carpool and what to do to empower your teenage driver to stay safe.

1. Buckle up!

In the 2017 State of Colorado Seat Belt Survey conducted by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Office of Transportation Safety (OTS), seat belt usage in Colorado has been declining for two years in a row now. From 85.2% in 2015, it went down to 84% in 2016, and then further down to 83.8% in 2017.

Christie Haskell, who was 17 when she sustained serious injuries in a 2002 car crash, says “[P]eople should spend the two seconds it takes to buckle up.” An unbelted passenger slammed into her when the vehicle they were in got hit on the driver side, forcing her face to break the window next to her. Thankfully, she only sustained minor injuries.

Seat belts save lives. That cannot be overemphasized. Remind your teenage driver to always - ALWAYS - buckle up and never allow the number of passengers inside the car to total more than the number of seat belts available. Remember, all it takes is two seconds to fasten a seat belt.

2. Avoid distractions

Driving distractions come in many forms: calling and texting, using a navigation app, fiddling with the car stereo, eating and drinking, talking with other passengers, putting makeup on, taking selfies, watching videos, looking at the scenery outside the window - practically anything that takes your focus away from driving and the road ahead is a distraction.

And because teenagers have a hard time parting with their mobile gadgets, install safe driving apps on their phones to keep them from texting and driving. In your parent-taught driver’s ed sessions, make sure they know everything to know about driving distractions and the deadly consequences associated with not paying attention.

Better yet, get them to practice commentary driving (despite their friends sniggering) to boost their concentration and polish their safe driving skills.

3. Leave early

There is no harm in leaving for school early. In fact, there are many benefits tied to it:

Students have more time to settle in and prepare for class
They don’t miss important information, such as introductions to new lessons and announcements about quizzes, projects, and the like
They develop positive habits, especially regarding punctuality
They avoid the school’s disciplinary measures against tardiness

What is worrisome about running late is your teen driver making dangerous driving decisions such as speeding, tailgating, and weaving in and out of traffic just to make it to school on time. As such, encourage them to get a good night’s sleep (sleep deprivation is an epidemic among teens, says Stanford), leave the house early, and allow themselves enough time for possible traffic contingencies.

Final word

New and young drivers need all the help they can get to evolve into the safe drivers we all want them to be for the rest of their lives. As such, never grow tired of reminding them what needs to be done, even when it feels like you have been saying the same things a million times. When they are older and wiser, they will probably even thank you for the constant badgering.

If your teenage driver’s safe driving skills need some work, WSDI offers Colorado driver’s ed courses in our branches in Denver, Parker, Grand Junction, Littleton South, and Littleton West.

Call us today, so we can show you how we can help.

3 Common Bad Habits of Teen Drivers

WSDI Staff — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 15:55:00 GMT

The stats do not lie: 16-year-olds have higher crash rates than drivers of any other age.

In other words, teen drivers are among the most dangerous of all drivers on the road, and new drivers need a few years before they are “up to speed” on safe driving habits. They may act like they do not, but teens need a helping hand from parents, friends, and other people to truly adhere to the rules of the road.

Parents might not observe these habits, as they're not in the car with their teenager. For that reason, let's discuss the most common bad habits of teenage drivers. Is parallel parking the worst thing that teen drivers have to face?

1. Distracted Driving

For drivers to stay safe while on the road, three essential elements are needed:

Hands on the wheel
Eyes on the road
Mind focused on driving

Take one away from the equation, and the consequences can be dire.

Distracted driving is deadly, and drivers, teen drivers especially, must proactively participate in putting a stop to it.

According to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA), in 2015 alone, distracted driving claimed almost 3,500 lives, while the number of crash-related injuries involving distracted drivers totaled 391,000.

Distracted driving happens when an activity takes your focus away from driving. Such activities include:

Eating and drinking
Talking to passengers inside your car
Calling or texting
Browsing social media or taking selfies
Tinkering with the car’s stereo
Applying makeup
Paying attention to things outside the window instead of the road

The NHTSA adds that among the most common driving distractions, texting while driving is the most alarming. It takes your eyes away from the road for at least five seconds, which, when driving at 55 mph, is equivalent to driving the entire length of a football field with eyes closed.

2. Ditching the Seat Belt

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “seat belt use is one of the most effective ways to save lives and reduce injuries in crashes. Yet millions do not buckle up on every trip.” The agency also notes that in 2015, at least 52% of the teens and adults who died in car crashes were “unrestrained.” Meaning, they were not wearing their seat belts.

Statistics compiled by the National Safety Council paints an even grimmer picture: Failing to wear a seat belt accounted for 66% of all teenage passenger deaths in car crashes.

Seat belts save lives. The NHTSA reports that approximately 14,000 lives were saved in 2015 and nearly 345,000 since 1975 because of seat belt use.

Modern vehicles now have more safety features than ever before, but the simple seat belt is still the most important.

3. Speeding

Ah, the thrill of the chase, the feel of the wind, the taste of freedom - all good if they do not involve speeding and endangering your life and those of others on the road.

Speeding statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) state that since 2005, speeding was a reason behind more than 25% of crash deaths. In 2015, that number was 27%.

Speeding is not just about exceeding the designated speed limit. It also happens when you drive too fast for conditions like snow, fog, or rain. You can lose control of your vehicle when you speed, especially on curves. You even significantly shorten your reaction time in emergency situations.

Final word

Teens, by nature, can be stubborn and impulsive. As such, they need all the help they can get. Alongside a driver’s ed in Grand Junction, Parker, Denver, or Littleton to teach them everything they need to know about safe driving habits, parents play a crucial role in making sure they stay safe behind the wheel through monitoring and constant reminding.

If you need help keeping your teen’s bad driving habits in check, call us today so we can discuss how we can assist you.

What Are the Requirements for a Colorado Driver’s Permit?

WSDI Staff — Sat, 09 Sep 2017 17:55:00 GMT

For a teen driver to obtain a driver’s license in Colorado, they must first apply for a driver’s permit, which, when granted, allows them to practice-drive with an adult and log the mandatory behind-the-wheel training hours to graduate to a driver’s license.

But how do you get a driver’s permit in Colorado? And who can be in the car with a permit driver?

Getting your driver’s permit

Colorado enforces the Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) program, which designates the types of permits a driver receives based on their age. The aim of the program is to reduce driving incidents by gradually increasing teenage drivers’ driving privileges as they gain more knowledge and experience.

If you are under 21 years of age, you need a driver’s permit to get a driver’s license. The driving permit - alongside its corresponding requirements - will depend on your age.

15 - 15 ½

Driver education learner’s permit. This type of permit requires you to complete a Colorado driver’s ed program from an accredited driving school, which is a total 30 hours of classroom instruction. The program can be completed either in-classroom or online.

You will need to present the certificate of completion when you apply for a driver’s permit, alongside other requirements.

15 ½ - 16

Driver awareness learner’s permit. The driver’s awareness permit requires the teen driver to complete either the 30-hour driver’s education course OR a four-hour classroom-based driver awareness program about safe driving practices and sound decision-making skills, also from an accredited driving institution.

16 and up

Minor learner’s permit. Minor drivers aged 16 and above are not legally required to take any formal driving lessons.

However, there is no harm in taking driver’s education lessons, where you will learn Colorado driving laws, road signs, intersections, and defensive driving, as well as gain access to valuable information that will help you pass both the written driver’s permit test and road skills test.

Other requirements

When you go to the license office to apply for a driving permit, remember to bring with you the following:

Certificate of completion for either the 30-hour driver’s ed program or four-hour driver awareness course
Proof of identity
Proof of address
Social Security number
Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship signed by your parent or legal guardian
Learner’s permit fee of $16.80

To recap

For a teenage driver to obtain a driving permit in Colorado, they must at least be 15 years old when they apply for one
A 30-hour Colorado driver’s ed program from an accredited driving school is a requirement for teens aged 15 to 15 ½. The course can be taken either inside a classroom or online
For those between the ages of 15 ½ and 16, a four-hour driver awareness program in lieu of the driver’s ed course will suffice
For those 16 and above, no formal driver’s ed training is required. However, they still must pass the driver’s permit test. If you cannot attend a DMV-approved driver’s ed class, a parent-taught driver’s ed program is a good substitute
Learn who can be in the car with a permit driver.

Final word

A teen driver applying for a driving permit in Colorado must complete the required driver training program for their age group (driver’s ed or driver awareness training) to become eligible. Western Slope Driving Institute can help you with that. We have training branches in various locations in Colorado: Parker, Denver, Grand Junction, Littleton West, and Littleton South.

If you have further questions about driving permits, give us a call, and we will be glad to assist you.

4 Great Ways to Prevent Texting and Driving

WSDI Staff — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 16:09:00 GMT

The Pew Research Center’s 2015 Teens, Social Media, and Technology Overview pegs the number of teens (aged 13 to 17) going online daily at 92%, with 24% admitting to going online “almost constantly.” Proof that technology and connectivity are becoming increasingly integral to teenagers.

In this article, we will discuss four ways to prevent your teenage driver from texting and driving.

Preventing texting and driving

1) Define what “texting while driving” is

The University of Pennsylvania’s research on the driving habits of teen drivers aged 16 to 18 gives us a peek into teenagers’ thought processes. While the research sample was small (30 teen respondents), the findings can be enough to make any parent worry:

Teens understand the dangers of texting while driving but still engage in it.
Their definition of “texting while driving” does not include social media usage or taking pictures. For them, checking their phones or browsing their social media feed is not “texting while driving.”

What can a parent do?

Point out that “texting while driving” is not limited to actual texting while driving. Phone usage for whatever reason, whether to tweet, make a call, or snap photos, also falls within the “texting while driving” umbrella.
Hammer in the consequences of distracted driving. Forget about sounding like a broken record. Rein in your irritation the moment your teenage driver starts rolling their eyes when explaining the dangers. If you are conducting parent-taught driver’s ed lessons, this is an excellent subject to discuss.

2) Stay off the phone

Easier said than done. Mobile phone addiction is a real phenomenon, and teenagers are more likely than other age groups to develop a mobile phone or social media addiction.

Mobile apps bring instant gratification, which can be addicting. Mobile phones have, essentially, rewired people's brains. That said, your teenager will have to proactively shun all cell phone usage while driving, unless absolutely necessary.

Things your teen driver can do to effectively stay off the phone while behind the wheel:

Put the cell phone on silent mode.
Keep it out of reach by placing it in the backseat or inside the glove compartment.
Commit to never touch that phone unless needed.
Practice commentary driving to stay focused on the road.
Make sure that you don’t text & drive, as it sets a bad example.

3) Download safety apps

On the surface, taking away the cause of the problem (the phone, in this case) seems like the easiest way to prevent texting and driving. However, clinical psychologist Dr. Beth Peters, cautions, “You are really setting yourself up for a dishonest teen because they need that contact with their friends and will resort to sneaky behavior to get it.”

In short, confiscating your teen’s phone may cause an emotional rift between parent and child. Instead, install safe driving apps to curb your teen driver’s urge to use her phone while driving.

Cell Control is one such app. Not only does it help prevent distracted driving by disabling your teen driver’s ability to text, browse social media, take pictures, or play mobile games while they drive, it also monitors the teen’s route and driving activities/violations, including speeding, harsh braking and cornering, and any attempt to disable the app.

Cell Control is motion-activated - meaning, as soon as the vehicle starts moving, it kicks into gear without human intervention.

Get also the best driving tips and resources on our website.

4) Use smart driving technology.

An example is SMARTwheel, which is a steering wheel cover that you can install in your teen's car. It uses sensing and gesture recognition technology to alert drivers of common distracted driving behavior, encouraging them to correct the behavior in real time.

Final word

When driving, teens, and smartphones are a dangerous combination. Educate your teen and implement any of the suggestions above to get them to stop texting while driving.

If you need to enroll your teen in a driving school for a Colorado driver’s ed program, Western Slope Driving Institute has branches in Parker and Denver. For questions related to distracted driving, give us a call, and we will be more than happy to help.

Passing Colorado's Driver’s Test: How to Successfully Get Your License

WSDI Staff — Sun, 13 Aug 2017 20:15:00 GMT

Successfully getting a driver’s license in Colorado does not just magically happen. There is a good deal of study and driving practice involved, at least for teen drivers that pass it the first time.

At Western Slope Driving Institute, we are committed to your teenage driver’s success, and this article aims to point you to the resources that can help your child know how to successfuly get thier license.

To obtain a driver’s license, your teen must pass two types of tests:

Written Colorado permit test for the driving permit
On-road driving skills test for the driver’s license

How to prepare for the written permit test

Colorado driver’s manual

The written permit test covers the contents of the Colorado Driver Handbook and includes questions about road signs, intersections, pavement markings, right of way, driving under the influence, precautions when driving in hazardous conditions, and other safety and driving rules.

Online tests and study guides

Studying the driver’s manual is a sound preparation strategy. But to better digest that information, online practice tests, and study guides are a big help.

Here are a few places to check out:

Driving-Tests.org has free Colorado DMV permit practice tests categorized as easy, hard, and hardest (signup not required)
Test-Guide.com offers a free Colorado practice permit test (signup not required)
com also has a free practice test (signup/registration required with an option to purchase premium practice tests)

Other sites provide study guides and cheat sheets for a fee.

Driver’s education from a certified driving school

Recall that driver’s permits and their corresponding requirements vary according to the teenage driver’s age. Teens aged 15 to 15 ½ need to complete a 30-hour Colorado driver’s ed program from a state-accredited training institution to be allowed to take the written permit test.

The program teaches teenage drivers everything they need to know about driving in Colorado, including:

Traffic laws
Road signs
Driving under the influence
Illegal U-turns
Speed limits
Driving insurance
Violations and their penalties

Learning the above lessons with the guidance of law enforcement experts and professional driving instructors, whether in a classroom setting or online, increases your teenager’s chances of passing the driver’s test.

Western Slope Driving Institute has branches in various areas in Colorado. If you need your teenager enrolled in a Denver driver’s ed or Parker driver’s ed course, contact us today.

Parent-taught driver’s ed

And of course, there is the parent as the teenager's learning partner. You play a critical role in your child’s driving education. Depending on your teenage driver’s learning preferences, you can do any of the following in preparation for the test:

Study the Colorado driving manual together
If you are qualified, teach your child everything she needs to know about driving in Colorado
Have your teenager take as many online practice tests as she can
Download the cheat sheets, instruct your teenager to study them, then quiz her on the lessons after
You can both enroll in a driver’s ed course, too

Final word

The purpose of the written permit test is to gauge how well your teenage driver understands the rules of the road and the importance of safe driving habits. Although passing the driver’s tests is crucial to obtaining a driver’s license, passing for the sake of passing is not the end game. Young drivers turning into responsible and safe drivers for life is.

If you have any questions regarding the driver’s permit test, give us a call, and we will be happy to assist you.

What Will Be on the Driver’s Ed Test: Intersections

lrobideau@wsdidrive.com (Lindsey Robideau) — Wed, 02 Aug 2017 21:02:00 GMT

As we have pointed out in previous articles, teenage drivers must pass the written test to get a driving permit in Colorado. The permit then allows you to practice-drive with a licensed adult driver or professional driving instructor.

When the time is right (i.e., you have logged the required number of practice hours and held your driver’s permit for at least one year), the permit driver can then proceed to apply for a driver’s license.

But what will be on the Colorado driver’s permit test?

We have so far covered road signs. In this article, we will tackle intersections.

Intersection types

An intersection or junction is a point where two or more roads cross or intersect. There are varied ways to categorize intersections, but one common way is by the number of roads that meet.

3-way intersections

When three road segments intersect, you have either a T-junction (where two arms create one road) or a Y-junction (also called a fork if you are approaching from the Y’s stem).

4-way intersections

A 4-way intersection often involves two roads crossing over. The converging streets can be perpendicular to each other or, in other cases, cross at a different angle.

5-way intersections

This intersection type is not common but exists in urban areas. An example is the Five Points in Atlanta, Georgia.

Image source: Google Maps

6-way intersections

A 6-way intersection involves the convergence of three roads.

7-way intersections

Seven or more roads intersecting are rare. An example is the Seven Dials in London.

Image source: SevenDials.co.uk

Traffic signals

Traffic signals are usually situated at intersections and tell drivers when to stop or go (also called controlled intersections). From top to bottom, the lights are red, yellow, and green.

Steady red light: A steady red light means to stop until the green one appears. Turning right is legal after stopping and yielding to crossing pedestrians and other traffic, as long as no other signs prohibiting the right turn exists.

Steady yellow light. This signals that the red light is ready to appear and means for drivers to stop unless already at the intersection.

Steady green light. A steady green light means you can go straight through, or make a left/right turn as long as the turn is not prohibited by a sign. But before executing that turn, yield to crossing pedestrians or any vehicle within the intersection.

Flashing red light. This is similar to a stop sign. Stop, yield to pedestrians and other traffic, then proceed when safe.

Flashing yellow light. This signals there is a hazard and for drivers to slow down and proceed with caution.

Green arrow. A lit green arrow indicates the turn a driver is allowed to go.

Yellow arrow. A red arrow will appear any second. If you are not already at the intersection, stop.

Red arrow. No proceeding in the direction signified by the arrow.

Note: While traffic lights are helpful at indicating when to go or not, it pays to always be alert and cautious. Other drivers may not be paying attention. Remember, when on the road, “legal” does not always mean “safe.”

Right of way

Who has the right of way at intersections where traffic lights are non-existent, not working, or malfunctioning?

2-way stop. In a 2-way stop situation, only one street on two intersecting streets has stop signs. The street without stop signs is a through street and has the right of way.

4-way stop. In a 4-way stop scenario, drivers must yield the right of way to whoever reaches the intersection first. In case two or more vehicles arrive at the intersection at the same time, the driver on the left yields the right of way to the vehicle on the right.

Drivers turning left. Yield to all incoming traffic, except when you are already at the intersection and have started to make the turn.

Pedestrians. At all times, under any condition, pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks and intersections. Be particularly mindful of the elderly, children, and blind pedestrians. You must come to a complete stop and let them safely pass.

Roundabout or rotary island. Yield to vehicles already within the roundabout. Keep right and watch out for directional signs.

Signs or markings to be aware of

Stop sign. Stop, yield to whoever has the right of way, and proceed only when safe.

Yield sign. Slow down, and stop if necessary, and give the right of way to traffic on the through road. You may proceed without stopping if the through road is clear of pedestrians, vehicles, or cyclists.

Stop line. Stop lines are pavement markings that vehicles must not cross while waiting at an intersection.

Crosswalk. The crosswalk is a section of the road exclusively for crossing pedestrians. Stop just before a crosswalk if no stop line is visible.

Unmarked crosswalk. If a crosswalk is unmarked, stop where you usually would at a marked crosswalk.

Final word

A driver’s permit is a prerequisite to a driver’s license, and all teenage drivers 15 and above must pass the Colorado driver’s permit test to obtain one. Study the above pointers about intersections and right-of-way rules to increase your chances of acing the exam.

For more questions about the driver’s permit and the education required to qualify for one, or if you want to enroll in any of our expert-facilitated driving courses, please give us a call.

Useful Tips for Parent-Teen Driving Lessons

lrobideau@wsdidrive.com (Lindsey Robideau) — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 21:20:00 GMT

For parents conducting parent-teen driving lessons, there is a driving technique that can greatly help your teenage driver with their driving skills, and thus relieve you of parental anxiety.

It is called “commentary driving” and is a huge benefit for teenage drivers having a hard time concentrating while driving or if their safe-driving skills need some serious work.

Just like learning a new language, commentary driving can be difficult initially for student drivers, especially for shy, anxious teenagers. But with practice, it can prove immensely helpful in:

Honing your child’s observational driving skills (i.e., spotting hazardous situations)
Fine-tuning their ability to ward off mental distractions and keep a tight focus on the task at hand
Reinforcing safe driving habits

1) Provide lots of supervision.

While driving schools in Parker, such as Western Slope Driving Institute, have expert driving instructors and customized training courses to help your teen drivers complete state-mandated traffic school training, parent participation in young drivers’ learning journey is vital to producing safe drivers.

Sitting in the passenger seat with your teen when they’re learning to drive takes time, patience, and knowledge – and the only way to ensure they put into practice what they learn.

During practice driving sessions, which, ideally, should be spread over a minimum of six months, remind them to:

Always wear their seatbelts.
Always keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.
Never take their mind off of driving.
Never call or text while driving.
Never drink and drive.
Limit passengers and night driving.
Slow down.
Always remember that owning a driver’s license is both a privilege and a responsibility.

2) Start off with small trips.

Practice driving with your teenager in various situations, including driving at night. But don’t take her to the freeway for her first driving practice. Instead of boosting your teenager’s confidence, the freeway experience might end up traumatizing them. Start small by letting them drive home from the grocery store, but don’t restrict your practice sessions to parking lots.

3) Help Your Teen Driver Practice.

When getting your teenager a car to drive, keep safety, reliability, fuel economy, and price in mind. Overall, the car should possess a good safety rating, side-curtain airbags, and easy maneuverability.

Bankrate.com insists on the following must-haves:

Locks and power windows
At least six air bags
Automatic transmission
Rearview camera

4) Give gentle, constructive criticism.

Teaching your teen how to drive is a long, grueling process and can become very exasperating for both parties. But no matter how frustrating the situation becomes, keep your temper under control. If you want your teenager to effectively absorb what you’re teaching, remember there’s a huge difference between criticism and constructive criticism.

Criticizing constructively entails that you explain what your teen driver did wrong and then offer advice to help them improve. Remember, a berating tone won’t uplift your teen’s confidence.

5) Make sure your teen knows what to do in case of an accident.

Nobody plans on being in an accident, but everyone needs to know what to do if they're in one.

Every car should be equipped with an emergency kit. The kit should include a fire extinguisher, a first-aid kit, warning light or road flares, a flashlight, jumper cables, a whistle, as well as food, water, a blanket, and extra clothes and shoes. You never know when your teen might need any of these, so best to have them ready at all times.

In the unfortunate case they find themselves in an accident, advise them to do following:

If someone’s injured, call for medical help.
Immediately notify the police.
Obtain the contact information of the people involved, also those of eyewitnesses.

6) Be a good role model.

Telling your teen what and what not to do while driving is useless if you don’t walk the talk. New teen drivers learn mostly by watching how adults behave behind the wheel, so practice what you preach.

7) Use Commentary Driving to Coach Your Teen

1) Commentary driving is a precautionary, safe-driving measure

Commentary driving is when a student driver says aloud her observations of the traffic situation, what she is thinking, and the driving techniques she plans to employ, as called for by the circumstances that have evolved and are still evolving.

Commentary driving is encouraged to inculcate in your teenage driver a sense of foresight by being observant and keenly aware of her surroundings, hence the ability to react fast and accordingly.

2) Commentary driving can be used for all traffic situations

Commentary driving works for any situation, such as when stopping, at junctions or roundabouts, when with cyclists, at pedestrian crossings, or when passing parked cars.

Teenage drivers should also verbally acknowledge the road signs and markings they see, other drivers following too closely or changing lanes illegally, the traffic lights ahead, and even their current speed, including when they plan to ease off the gas or accelerate.

3) Commentary driving is encouraged, no matter your child’s skill level

Commentary driving is best suited for students who have already mastered the basic driving skills and maneuvers. It can, however, also be incorporated for a limited time during the earlier lessons to sharpen student observers’ visual skills and strengthen their safe driving habits.

How to Encourage your Teenager to Talk While Driving

1) You cannot teach what you do not know

Because teens learn better through demonstrations, as parent-coach, make sure to model the technique well before asking your teenager to have a go at it.

2) Start small

Practice commentary driving in relatively simple situations before advancing to more complex environments.

3) Encourage your teen driver to be specific

Vague language such as “checking ahead” does not help with your child’s awareness level. The commentary should be specific to the situation your teenager is in.

For example, check out the following series of commentary:

"Checking mirrors, left mirror, cyclist too close by, let them pass, ease off gas"
"Intersection ahead, green light, checking mirrors, no cars behind, approaching intersection, light still green, checking intersection left and right, all clear, crossing intersection"

4) Resist the urge to interject

Unless it is absolutely necessary, resist the urge to verbalize your own observations or ask questions. Doing so distracts your teenage driver from focusing on the situation in front of them. Worse, it may discourage them from voicing their own thoughts and rely on other people’s observations.

Instead, log all your comments in a notebook and discuss them with your child after the practice session, when the car is safely parked.

5) Be supportive instead of critical

Especially in the beginning, your teenage driver may find it extremely difficult to talk while driving. Don’t get mad or lose your patience whenever they stop commenting. Instead, encourage them to keep going by asking them to tell you what they see and what they plan to do.

6) Know when it is time to call it a day

When your student driver starts showing signs of fatigue or stops commenting despite your numerous prodding, it may be time to end the lesson. Emphasize that when a driver stops commenting, their hazard-spotting abilities and alertness levels go down significantly.

Final word

Commentary driving, when properly implemented, helps your teenage driver become a safer driver. Remember though that it takes time and requires a good dose of patience before they can fully master the technique.

For questions regarding commentary driving, the courses we offer, schedules and pricing, give us a call or visit any Western Slope Driving Institute location. We would be very happy to help.

How to Go from a Permit Driver to a Licensed Driver in Colorado

lrobideau@wsdidrive.com (Lindsey Robideau) — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 01:15:00 GMT

To obtain a driver’s license in Colorado, teenage drivers must pass two types of tests: the written permit test and the actual road test. Teenagers passing their written tests with flying colors and then failing their road tests are not unheard of. These scenarios are pretty common, in fact.

Therefore, it is worth emphasizing that new drivers must pass BOTH tests to get a driver’s license. It is not enough that you are enrolled in an appropriate driving course or have logged the requisite number of practice hours. You still must pass the road test to progress from being a permit driver to a licensed driver.

The Colorado driver’s permit

The Colorado driver’s permit is what the DMV issues to teenagers aged 15 and older upon passing the written test. Keep in mind that the permit type you get, including its corresponding requirements, will depend on your age, as stipulated in the Colorado Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program.

15 - 15 ½. Driver’s education permit. Required: 30-hour driver’s education from a licensed driving institute.
15 ½ - 16. Driver’s awareness permit. Required: Driver’s education OR a four-hour driver awareness course also from an accredited driving school.
16 and older. Minor learner’s permit. No formal driving education required. However, you still must pass the written exam, so be sure to review the Colorado driver’s handbook before taking the test.

Once you are issued a driving permit, you can start doing the following:

Practice driving behind the wheel with either a professional driving instructor or a designated adult supervisor who is at least 21 years old and has held a driver’s license for at least one year.
Log the required practice driving time of 50 hours, including 10 at night.

From permit driver to licensed driver

If you are at least 16 years old and have held your driver’s permit for a minimum of one year, you are ready to apply for a driver’s license. Again, you must pass the road test to obtain a driver’s license.

The road test can be taken at a driving school. Otherwise, schedule a drive test appointment with the DMV.

Driver’s license application prerequisites to be aware of:

You are at least 16 years old.
You have held your driver’s permit for at least 12 months.
You have completed the 50 hours required drive time, 10 of which for nighttime driving.
If you are 16 to 16 ½, you must also complete six hours of behind-the-wheel training with a driver education instructor. If no accredited driving school is within 30 miles of your residence, a 12-hour behind-the-wheel training with an approved driving supervisor is required.

To recap

Driver’s permit

Teenage drivers must at least be 15 to apply for a driver’s permit.
You must pass the vision and written permit tests to obtain a permit.
To qualify, teenage drivers aged 15 to 15 ½ must present proof (certificate of completion) that they have taken the mandatory driver’s education program from a DMV-approved driving school.
Teenage drivers aged 15 ½ to 16 can complete either the driver’s education course OR the four-hour driver awareness program.

Driver’s license

Teenage drivers must at least be 16 years old to apply for a driver’s license.
They must pass the road test.
If they are under 18, they should have held their driver’s permit for at least 12 months and have completed the mandatory 50 hours of practice driving (10 hours of which at night).
If they are between the ages of 16 and 16 ½, an additional six hours of behind-the-wheel training with a driver’s ed instructor is required (or its equivalent 12 hours with an approved driving instructor, if no driving school exists within 30 miles of their residence).

Final word

Teenage drivers must pass the road test to go from permit driver to a licensed driver in Colorado. As such, remember to never take your driving lessons for granted. Practice and keep practicing with a driving professional or an experienced adult driver until you have mastered not just the rules of the road but the techniques required to become a safe, responsible driver.

For additional questions on driving permits and how to obtain a driver’s license in Colorado, give us a call and we would be happy to assist.

You may also check out our available courses for your teenage driver by clicking here.

What Your Teen Driver Should Know about the Driver's Test in Colorado

WSDI Staff — Fri, 21 Jul 2017 20:11:29 GMT

Getting a Colorado driver’s license for minors is a strictly regulated process, largely because teenagers are a high-risk driving group, as evidenced by numerous traffic and driving fatality statistics across the country.

Driving is no joke. If you crash or cause an accident, there is no going back in time to correct the events that led to the mishap. It is for this reason that Colorado state laws strictly impose certain requirements for teenage drivers before they are issued a license. And learn who can be in the car with a permit driver.

It can be difficult to understand what type of driving permit is best for your teenage driver. Read this article to learn more about the types of permits, how long the class will take, and get a feel for what will be on the driver's ed test.

Getting your teenager a driving permit

Colorado teenagers must hold a learner’s permit for one full year to become eligible for a driver’s license. With Colorado's enforcement of the graduated driver licensing program, or GDL, the type of learner’s permit your child gets would depend on their age.

Driver Education Learner's Permit

Teens from 15 to 15½ years of age should get their Driver Education permit. This permit is valid for three years, and is the first step for Colorado's younger teen drivers. This permit requires your teenager to complete the mandatory 30-hour driver’s education program from a state-accredited driving school. The program can be taken online or in-classroom, depending on your child’s schedule and learning preference. Once obtaining their learner's permit, the teen driver will need to pass the vision and written permit tests at a Colorado DMV.

One point we would like to emphasize: Although your teenager needs to be at least 15 years old to obtain a driver education permit, teenagers as young as 14½ can start signing up for a driver’s education course. This is due to the six-month window between course completion and permit application.

Driver Awareness Permit

This permit is also valid for three years and granted to teenage drivers aged 15 ½ to 16 years who pass the written and vision tests. To qualify, your child can either take the 30-hour driver education course or complete the four-hour pre-qualification driver awareness program.

Similar to the learner's permit, the Driver Awareness Permit will allow your teen driver to take the vision and written permit tests at a Colorado DMV.

Minor Instruction Permit

Also valid for three years, this learning permit is issued to drivers between the ages of 16 and 21 who pass the written and vision tests. Note that applicants 16 years and older are not required to complete any formal driver education courses to obtain an instruction permit.

Driver education - an overview

The DMV-required driver education program totals 30 hours and can be completed in a classroom or online. The online course allows learners to study when and where it is the most convenient. Fifteen minutes of lessons here and there will eventually add up, and before you know it, your child will have completed the entire course. Lessons include:

Road signs and signals
Defensive driving
Driving on the freeway
Driving at night
Driving in different weather conditions
Merging and changing lanes
Hazard prevention

Upon completion, your teenager must pass a qualifying exam to obtain an affidavit of completion. Bring the affidavit to your local Colorado DMV when applying for a learning permit, alongside other requirements to prove your teenager's identity, such as your birth certificate or passport, and a proof of residency.

Only when your child is issued a learner’s permit can they start logging the 50-hour supervised road time required to get their Colorado driver's license.

As such, teen drivers must pass two types of Colorado driver’s tests to obtain a driver’s license:

Written permit test
Actual road test

But what happens when your teenager successfully passes each test?

Read on as we attempt to answer that question.

The written test

A teenage driver at least 15 years old must pass the written driving test to obtain a learner’s driving permit. This provisionary license allows your child to practice driving behind the wheel with the supervision of a licensed adult or a driver’s ed instructor.

If you, the parent, are unable or unavailable, the state allows you to designate another licensed adult as your child’s driving supervisor.

Driver’s permits are mailed to the address you provide and should arrive within 30 days. They expire after three years from the date of issuance, and if your child is under the age of 18, they must hold the permit for at least 12 months before taking the road test.

If they between the ages of 18 and 21, your child may proceed with driver’s license application at any time after getting her driver’s permit.

Actual driving test

Teen drivers must at least be 16 years old to apply for a driver’s license. They also must satisfy the following requirements:

Mandatory driver’s permit holding period of at least 12 months for teenagers under 18
Behind-the-wheel practice with a driving instructor for six hours if between the ages of 16 and 16 ½, (or 12 hours of practice with a qualified driving supervisor if no state-accredited driving institution exists within 30 miles of your residence)
Supervised practice driving of 50 hours, 10 hours of which are at night

They will then be required to pass the road skills test, which can be administered either at your local DMV office or a certified driving school.

Just like the driver’s permit, your child’s driver’s license will be mailed to the address specified in their application and should arrive within 30 days. After 30 days and it is yet to arrive, contact the issuing office.

Driver’s license restrictions you and your child must be aware of, if they are under 18:

1) Unless in the company of a licensed adult at least 21 years old who has held their license for at least one year, in a medical emergency, or when minor passengers are all family members and each wearing their seatbelts:

Cannot drive with a passenger under 21 until your child has held her license for at least six months
Cannot drive with more than one passenger under 21 until your child has held her license for at least one year
Only one passenger in the front seat

2) The number of passengers in the back seat cannot be more than the number of seatbelts.

3) Everyone in the vehicle, including the teen driver, must wear their seatbelts at all times.

4) No driving between midnight and 5 a.m. until your child has held their license for at least one year, except when:

In the company of a licensed adult aged 21 and older who has held their driver’s license for at least one year
In an emergency
Your child is driving to and from school with a signed statement from the school
Your child is driving to and from work with a signed statement from the employer

Driver’s licenses expire 20 days after your child turns 21. Better to renew early or at most within a year after expiry. Renewing after one year of expiry will require them to retake both the written and road tests.

To recap

Your teenager must at least be 15 years old to take the written driving test and obtain a driving permit. Permit types will depend on their age.
The driving permit lets them hone their skills behind the wheel with the supervision of a licensed adult. They can then start logging the mandatory practice hours and behind-the-wheel training hours with a driving instructor (or an alternative adult supervisor in the absence of a driving institute within 30 miles of your home address).
Your teenager must at least be 16 years old and has held their driver’s permit for at least one year to apply for a driver’s license and take the road skills test.
You should receive your child’s driving permit or license within 30 days at the address indicated in their application. Otherwise, follow up with the licensing office.
Educate your child on the driving restrictions for licensed drivers under 18 to avoid any run-ins with the law.

Final word

Your teenage driver must pass two type of tests to obtain a driver’s license: the written test for the driver’s permit and the road skills test for the minor’s driver’s license. Both driving permit and license carry privileges and limitations that your child must be aware of at all times.

If you have any questions on the written permit test or road skills exam, we can help you. Give us a call to speak with any of our experienced driving instructors or if you want to enroll your teenager in any of our driving courses.

What Do You Do in Driver’s Ed?

lrobideau@wsdidrive.com (Lindsey Robideau) — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 14:08:26 GMT

The statistics on teen crashes across the U.S. are not pretty, with 75% of teen crashes a result of critical errors such as:

Inability to recognize hazards and respond accordingly
Going too fast
Being distracted

One reason is that newly licensed teenage drivers “exit the learner period with significant skill deficits,” says the same Teen Driver Source research referenced above.

With this as the backdrop, the importance of driver’s education, particularly for teenage drivers, cannot be overemphasized. But what do you do in driver's ed?

What they teach you in driver’s ed

Driver’s ed is not a prerequisite for young drivers just because. The reason the state mandates that all drivers be properly educated on the rules of the road is to make the roads safe for everyone - motorists and pedestrians alike.

Lessons students learn in driver’s ed include:

Traffic and driving laws

Ignorance may be bliss in certain scenarios, but definitely not when you are driving. Driver’s education teaches road rules such as:

Road signs
Consequences of driving under the influence (DUI)
Illegal U-turns
Speed limits and penalties for reckless driving
Penalties for driving without a license or with a suspended license
What a hit-and-run is and what a driver must do when involved in an accident
Driving with or without insufficient insurance
Seat belt and child restraint violations
Illegal vehicle modifications and mechanical violations

Remember, ignorance of the law spares no one.

How to become a safe driver

Safe driver lessons discussed in driver’s ed include the following:

Choosing the right vehicle
Practical skills such as how to change a flat tire
Keeping your hands off your mobile phone and the perils of driving and texting
Minimizing distractions
Following the designated speed limit
Practicing defensive driving techniques such as being mindful of the traffic ahead, behind, and around you

Becoming a safe driver is beneficial for a handful of reasons:

Keeps you (and your passengers) safe while on the road
Allows you to build a good driving record, which helps you find better insurance rates in the future
Prevents you from becoming yet another teen driving statistic

How to pass the road skills test to obtain a driving permit

Colorado driver’s education prepares students for the driver’s ed test, which teen drivers must pass to obtain a driving permit. The learner’s or driving permit allows you to hone your driving skills with the help of your parents or legal guardian, a professional driving instructor, or any licensed adult aged 21 or above.

The different types of driver’s education

State-approved driver’s education is not limited to just one learning channel. Colorado recognizes several of them.

Classroom-type instruction

This is the driver’s education type that happens in a classroom setting. In the case of Western Slope Driving Institute, instructors are former law enforcement professionals, members of the armed forces, and other emergency first responders.

Examples of learning scenarios you can look forward to:

Videos and worksheets to help students better retain information
Impairment goggles for DUI simulations

Online courses

Online driver’s education courses are for students who cannot attend in-classroom training. The course can be completed at home or where there is an internet connection, at a pace most convenient to the learner. Animations, videos, and quizzes are part of the package to keep the learner engaged.

Parent-taught driver’s education

Parent-taught driver’s education is the training provided by your parents or legal guardian, as long as they are also licensed drivers and are willing to shoulder the blame if anything goes awry.

While recognized in Colorado as an alternative to the driver’s ed training provided by professional driving institutions, keep in mind that teenagers aged 15 to 15 ½ are required by law to complete the 30-hour DMV-approved driver’s ed course to qualify for a learner’s permit. Teens aged 15 ½ to 16, on the other hand, can complete either a driver’s ed course or a four-hour driver’s awareness program.

Final word

Road safety is a social responsibility. Driver’s ed is the perfect avenue to start molding young drivers into the responsible drivers we all need them to be.

Aside from in-classroom and online driver’s ed, Western Slope Driving Institute also offers various driving courses: driver’s awareness training, precision skills track, behind-the-wheel training, and custom courses. Call us today if you have questions on any of our courses.

Who Can Be in the Car With a Permit Driver?

lrobideau@wsdidrive.com (Lindsey Robideau) — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 21:11:00 GMT

For young teenage drivers, a Colorado permit test (also known as a provisional license or learner’s permit) is the first step towards obtaining a driver’s license. Next is a minor’s license, and finally, the full driver’s license.

The driving permit may not be on the same level as a full, unrestricted driver’s license, but with it, you can sharpen your driving skills, clock the mandatory practice hours, and gain enough experience and driving confidence to pass the driver licensing exams.

Alongside the benefits the permit carries, there are limitations you should also be mindful of. You do not want your driving privileges revoked or suspended, either by willful or inadvertent negligence, so take extra care not to overstep your boundaries.

In this article, we will discuss the restrictions a permit driver in Colorado must be aware of at all times:

Driving permit restrictions

You cannot drive alone

If you are under 18, Colorado driving laws prohibit you to drive alone. You must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, a driver’s education instructor, or a licensed driver at least 21 years old whenever you go out for a drive.

Not just anyone can log your required practice hours.

Your mandatory 50 hours of driving practice can only be logged by the person who signed your Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship (DR2460), or an alternate permit supervisor appointed by your parent or guardian.

Phone use is a no-no while driving.

Permit holders cannot, under any circumstances, text and drive. Should you need to place a call or send a message, do so only once you have stopped the car and turned off the engine.

Everyone in the vehicle must wear their seat belts.

No ifs, no buts. No sharing of safety belts as well.

Driving license restrictions for minors

Because more U.S. teen drivers become involved in vehicular accidents than their older counterparts, even if you do pass the road test and obtain a minor’s driver’s license, there are certain rules the Colorado DMV expects you to follow:

Phone use

Strictly no cell phone use for licensed drivers under 18. Ignore this rule and you can be fined or even lose your license. Exceptions to this rule include emergency calls to the police or fire department.

Passenger restrictions

For the first six months of obtaining a driver’s license, no passenger under 21 is allowed with you in the vehicle, unless they are immediate family members. For the next six months, only one passenger under 21 is allowed. Also, ensure there is only one passenger in the front seat.

Driving curfew

For the first twelve months, no driving between midnight and 5 a.m. unless in the company of another licensed driver at least 21 years old. This restriction does not apply under the following conditions:

You are an emancipated minor
You have a medical emergency
You drive to and from work (or school) and your work (or school) has issued a signed statement

Seat belts

Seat belts are a must for everyone in the car, particularly if the vehicle is driven by a licensed minor.

Final word

A teen driver with a permit is expected to obey the rules of the road and observe the limitations associated with their driver’s permit. Do not throw your driving privileges out the window just because you are not aware of the things you cannot do.

For additional questions on the driver’s permit, our FAQ page contains valuable information. You may also contact us if you need to speak with a driving instruction expert or enroll your teenager in any of our driving courses.

What You Can Do With a Driver’s Permit in Colorado

lrobideau@wsdidrive.com (Lindsey Robideau) — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 15:03:00 GMT

For many young drivers, a driver’s license equals the freedom to explore places they have not been to, or the ability to drive to and from school (or work) on their own. No more Mom or Dad dropping them off or picking them up. And don't forget to learn who can be in the car with a permit driver in Colorado.

But for parents and communities, a driver’s license in the hands of a teenager can be a cause for anxiety. After all, accidents, including motor vehicle accidents, are the leading cause of death among Americans aged 15 to 24. As such, the law enforces strict standards everyone must adhere to when obtaining a driver’s license.

The first step towards getting a license is the learner’s permit, also known as a driver’s permit, learner’s license, or provisional license. Colorado’s Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) program aims to gradually increase learners’ driving privileges as they obtain more driving knowledge and experience.

Driver’s license applicants aged below 21 must hold a learning permit for 12 months and complete the mandatory practice driving hours to become eligible for a driver’s license.

There are three types of Colorado driver’s permit granted to the applicant depending on their age:

Teens aged 15 to 15 ½: driver’s education permit. Requirement: 30-hour driver’s education course from a state-certified driving institution within the last six months
Teens aged 15 ½ to 16: driver’s awareness permit. Requirement: 30-hour driver’s education course OR a four-hour driver’s awareness program
Drivers aged 16 to 21: minor learner’s permit. No formal driving training required.

What your learner’s permit allows you to do

Upon passing the visual and written exams, you will be granted the corresponding learner’s permit. Whatever the type of permit you’re issued, if you are under 18, you are required to practice driving behind the wheel with a parent, driving instructor, or legal guardian and log the mandatory 50 supervised practice hours (at least 10 hours of which for driving at night) to advance to the driver’s license application stage.

If you are under 16 ½, you must also complete six hours of behind-the-wheel (BTW) training with a driving instructor. If living in an area where no accredited driving schools exist within 30 miles, a 20-hour driving practice with an approved driving supervisor can serve as BTW training replacement.

What you can’t do with a learner’s permit

Your learner’s permit carries privileges, but there are restrictions you must be aware of so you don’t run afoul of the law:

If you are under 18, your driver’s permit only allows you to drive with a licensed adult 21 years old and above. This person can be a driving instructor, your parent or legal guardian (who also must sign an affidavit of guardianship and liability in the presence of a notary or an employee of the DMV), or someone approved by your parent or guardian.
Strictly no cellphone usage while driving.
Don’t forget to put your seatbelts on.

Final word

To obtain a driver’s license, you first must train on the rules of the road and how to become a safe driver. These are exactly what a learner’s permit allows you to do. With it, you can start honing your driving skills with the help of a qualified adult or driving professional. Learn as much as you can while you are at it. Although it’s true that driving entails freedom, it’s also a responsibility you must commit to at all times. People’s lives, including yours, depend on the type of driver you become.

For any questions regarding driver’s permits, Western Slope Driving Institute’s instructors who are mostly former traffic enforcers and emergency first responders can help. You may also contact us if you want to enroll your teenager in any of our driving courses.

What Is Parent-Taught Driver’s Ed?

lrobideau@wsdidrive.com (Lindsey Robideau) — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 16:17:00 GMT

In Colorado, not all teenagers applying for a learner’s permit are required to undergo a state-approved driver’s education program. Depending on your child’s age, the permit requirements, as designed by the Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) system, are as follows:

Age 15: The teen should have completed a 30-hour driver’s ed course from an accredited driving institution within the last six months.
Age 15 ½: The teen should have completed either the 30-hour driver’s education course or a four-hour driver awareness program.
Age 16 and above: No formal driver education or awareness programs required.

Parent-taught driver’s education

Parents are a child’s first teachers. You taught them how to walk, talk, dress, socialize, and pretty much everything during their childhood. Because parents are the most invested in their children’s safety and overall well-being, there is no reason parents cannot teach their children how to drive, as long as they are qualified. This means:

You hold a valid driver’s license and know the rules of the road.
You are willing to take full responsibility in case something goes amiss while teaching your child how to drive.

Your teenager of at least 16-years must still pass the test to obtain a permit, but they are not legally required to take a driver’s ed or awareness course to qualify for a learner’s permit. Your teenage driver must still pass this test to obtain his or her learner's permit. As such, your child may turn to you and parent-taught driver’s education to help them sail through the exams.

Several options are available for parents to accomplish this:

Bank on your own knowledge of driving laws and road safety.
Refer to the Colorado Driver Handbook and download supplemental teaching materials online.
Partner with an approved course provider and administer the lessons at home.
Enroll your child in an online driver’s ed course and go through the lessons together.

Upon passing the Colorado's written driver's ed test and the vision exam, your teenager will be issued a learner’s permit (which they must hold for at least a year) to start practice driving. He or she must log a total 50 hours of supervised driving (10 hours have to be nighttime driving) to progress to the next step of the GDL program: driver’s license application.

Take note that aside from the mandatory 50 hours of supervised driving, teens under 16 ½ years must also complete a total of six hours of behind-the-wheel training with a driving instructor before applying for a driver’s license. In the absence of an approved driving school within 30 miles of your residence, 20 hours of driving practice with an approved driving supervisor is required.

Restrictions parents should be aware of

Learner’s permit

Teenagers under 16: Not allowed to drive with anyone except their driving instructor, parent, or legal guardian
Teenagers 16 and older: May drive with any licensed driver aged 21 and older
No cellphones while driving

Driving license

For teens younger than 18, unless they are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or licensed adult 21 years and older:

For the first six months, no driving with a passenger under 21 (exception: siblings or medical emergencies)
After six months, no driving with more than one passenger under 21 (exception: siblings or medical emergencies)
For the first year, no driving between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. (exception: emergency)

Final word

Parent-taught driver’s education is much like homeschooling, but with a car. It is no walk in the park, but with dedication, patience, and the proper know-how, it can be done. Because the safety of your children can be at stake when they are old enough to drive alone, parental participation in driver training is crucial. What you teach them - directly or indirectly - can have a profound impact on their driving habits for the rest of their lives.

If you have questions about parent-taught driver’s education, Western Slope Driving Institute can point you in the right direction. Give us a call today.

What Will Be on the Driver’s Ed Test: Road Signs

lrobideau@wsdidrive.com (Lindsey Robideau) — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 21:15:00 GMT

In Colorado, teen drivers must pass the written driver’s permit test to obtain a learner’s permit, which they then must hold for 12 consecutive months before applying for a driver’s license. To get a learner’s permit, teens under 15 ½ years are required by law to complete a 30-hour driver’s education course from a state-accredited driving institution.

The driver’s permit test in Colorado quizzes takers on the topics covered by the Colorado Driver Handbook, which include road signs, DUI, safety rules, and Colorado driving laws. To prepare your teen driver for the exam, this article will tackle what every driver must be aware of: traffic signs.

Stop

A stop sign warns drivers to make a complete stop and ensure no cars are coming before proceeding.

Yield

A yield or “give way” sign signals drivers to prepare to stop, if necessary, and let a driver on another approach proceed, essentially yielding the right of way to the other driver.

No left turn | no right turn

A left turn is illegal where a “no left turn” sign is situated. The only other options available to you in this scenario are either to turn right or go straight ahead. Similarly, a “no right turn” sign prohibits making a right turn. Instead, travel straight through or turn left.

No U-turn

You make a U-turn when you need to travel in the opposite direction. “No U-turn” signs are usually found on one-way streets. They are also put where performing a U-turn is unsafe, such as where traffic is brisk and you are likely to hit (a pedestrian or another vehicle) or be hit.

Left turn only | straight through only | right turn only

A “left turn only” sign indicates you can only execute a left turn but not a U-turn, the same way you can only make a right turn where a “right turn only” sign is visible. You cannot drive through or go straight. The “straight through only” sign says what it exactly means: no left or right turns, just go straight through.

Left-straight optional lane | right-straight optional lane

A “left-straight optional lane” sign warns of lanes that allow drivers to either turn left onto an adjacent road or go straight across traffic. The “right-straight optional lane” indicates basically the same thing, this time of a lane where you can either turn right onto an adjacent roadway or go straight ahead.

Do not pass

The “do not pass” sign marks the start of a no-passing zone, where drivers cannot overtake other vehicles.

Pass with care

The “pass with care” sign indicates you are in an area where it is safe to pass other vehicles, provided you exercise caution and common sense.

Slower traffic keep right

In multi-lane highways, this sign is used to discourage unnecessary lane-changing. Drivers must keep right unless passing slower-moving vehicles, or if they intend to make a left turn.

Keep left

The “keep left” sign warns drivers that a traffic divider is up ahead, and to keep to the left of the roadblock.

Keep right

The “keep right” sign warns the driver of a traffic island or highway divider ahead, and tells him to stay to the right of the roadblock. When installed on a highway, the sign usually comes with the “divided highway begins” warning sign.

Do not enter

The “do not enter” sign can usually be seen at roadway openings with one-way traffic that is against you.

Wrong way

Much like the “do not enter” sign, the “wrong way” sign alerts you to the fact that you are traversing a road you should not.

One way

The “one way” sign warns drivers that they are crossing a one-way street.

Divided highway begins

The “divided highway begins” sign warns motorists that the highway ahead is divided into two separate one-way roadways by a media strip or barrier. As such, keep right.

Divided highway ends

This sign indicates that the divided highway you are driving on is ending and to expect two-way traffic ahead.

Two-way traffic ahead

The “two-way traffic ahead” sign signals that you are leaving a one-way street and entering a two-way roadway.

No parking

You are not allowed to park wherever a “no parking” sign is installed. Additional pavement markings may be used to communicate parking restrictions in the area.

Reserved parking

A “reserved parking” sign is installed on parking areas reserved for disabled drivers. Authorized registration plates or a special parking placard must be displayed on vehicles parked in such areas.

Emergency stopping only

Areas marked with the “emergency stopping only” sign are for real emergencies only, such as a medical emergency or when your vehicle experiences engine or technical troubles that can jeopardize your safety.

Do not stop on tracks

This sign warns drivers that they cannot stop on the railroad tracks for any reason.

Road closed

This sign simply means the road is closed to all traffic. Look for detour signs.

Railroad crossbuck

The railroad crossbuck sign is installed at railroad crossings, where the tracks and the road intersect. Slow down, listen for trains, and be ready to stop if you hear or see one coming.

Road narrows

The “road narrows” sign warns drivers that the road ahead is not as wide as the one they are driving on. Drivers need to stay cautious to stay in the middle of their lane.

T-intersection

The T-intersection sign indicates that the road you are traversing is ending, and thus prepare to slow down or stop before turning.

Y-intersection

The Y-intersection sign warns drivers of a three-way junction ahead.

Final word

Your teen driver must have a learner’s permit to begin supervised driving. Western Slope Driving Institute takes pride in its commitment to give your child the best possible driver’s education and training. Our instructors, who are mostly former law enforcement professionals, will help prepare them for the DMV-administered written and practical exams to obtain their permits and licenses.

Call us today for any questions you may have or if you want to sign up your teenager in any of our courses.

6 Things They Do Not Teach You in Other Driving Schools

lrobideau@wsdidrive.com (Lindsey Robideau) — Thu, 18 May 2017 16:41:00 GMT

Good sense and sound judgment often referred to as “common sense” can be taught and learned. But common sense lessons are not necessarily common among driving institutions teaching driver’s education. Most driving schools only cover the basics.

Teen drivers have a lot to learn outside the basics, and Western Slope Driving Institute tackles common sense items that other driving schools do not. The following are just a few of them.

1) Turn off your hi-beams.

A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) pegged the nighttime driving fatality rate at three times higher than the daytime rate. The reason is apparent: Night driving conditions are different from daytime driving. Because of lack of light, drivers have limited depth perception and peripheral vision. Not to mention, after a full day of hard work, fatigue can easily sleep in at night.

High beams are useful and can save lives on unlit or inadequately lit roads, but they can also blind oncoming traffic on well-lit roads and result in a head-on collision. High beams can have a similar effect on the driver ahead of you. You will likely end up rear-ending them if they crash.

If your car comes with rear fog lights, remember to only use them in foggy conditions - hence, the name - or when visibility is zero because of a heavy thunderstorm. If driving conditions are good, do not turn them on because they can also temporarily impair the vision of the driver behind you.

2) Understand what ABS is and how it can keep you safe.

An anti-lock braking system (ABS) is exactly what it says it is - a safety system that prevents wheel lockup during heavy braking, hence keeping road traction and preventing uncontrolled skidding. A vehicle equipped with ABS maintains steerability while braking, allowing drivers to steer around a road block instead of directly colliding with it.

While ABS does not generally allow you to stop faster, it helps you:

Avoid hitting the object that caused you to brake
Maintain tire traction on slippery or wet roads
Corner more quickly and safely
Prevent high-sided vehicles, such as lorries and vans, from being blown over when driving in high winds

3) Use your signals.

When driving, the only ways you can communicate with other drivers are through audible and visible signals. As such, never forget to use your car’s signals at least five seconds before you make a left or right turn. This is to let other drivers know of your intention, and they can slow down or give way as necessary.

However, signaling is never intended for any driver to abuse. Do not use your car’s signaling mechanisms to command other drivers to do your bidding. In other words, do not expect them to make way when making a lane change on the freeway or at an intersection. Other drivers may not see your signal, while others may have no intentions of acting on it.

If you cause an accident, saying “But I signaled, Officer” to the apprehending traffic enforcer, they won’t let you off the hook.

While still on the subject of audible signals, also keep in mind that your car’s horn should only be used to alert people to danger, not for venting your anger.

4) Do not multitask, such as text and drive.

The National Safety Council is putting its foot down on multitasking once and for all. In its infographic entitled “The Great Multitasking Lie,” it echoes what brain experts have been saying for years:

The human brain cannot do two things at the same time. When the brain switches between two tasks, it slows down reaction time.
Drivers talking on their phones can miss seeing up to 50% of their driving environments, including red lights and pedestrians, which makes hands-free phone usage just as dangerous as texting while driving.

Whenever you are out driving, always keep the following three things in mind: your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel, and your mind on driving. Leaving out one imperils not just yourself but others on the road as well.

5) Green lights are not always a go.

When the light goes green at the intersection, it simply means it’s legal to go but not necessarily safe. Remember to always physically check every intersection before you drive ahead.

6) Be courteous.

If there is anything that will make the roads safer for everyone, it is road courtesy.

Some ways to manifest road courtesy:

Do not tailgate. You know you are keeping a safe distance when you see the rear tires of the car ahead of you. This allows you enough time to think and room to maneuver if sudden changes occur.
Keep calm. Being on the road with a license or driver’s permit does not make you special. If other drivers insist on passing you, then let them pass you. A bad situation can still get you killed even when you are in the right.
The left lane is for passing. Keep the left lane open for passing or overtaking vehicles. It is not for slow-moving vehicles to drive on.
Do not underestimate the power of a wave. A simple wave can mean “I am sorry” or “Thank you” depending on the circumstance and has the potential to prevent a bad situation from getting worse.
Do not cause a traffic jam by letting others in. While giving way may seem like you are being nice, it can hold up traffic and get you rear-ended.
Do not stop and stare. Do not cause a traffic situation by stopping and staring at accidents or a motorist on the side of the road who does not need your help.

Final word

Your teen driver’s inexperience is the perfect teaching condition for inculcating in them not just the rudiments of defensive driving but common sense items that will keep them safe on the road.

If you need help from the experts, Western Slope Driving Institute’s instructors are former first responders, law enforcement professionals, and armed forces personnel who use real-life experiences to teach teen drivers how to become better and safer drivers. Give us a call today to sign up your teenager in any of our driving courses.

7 Tips for Parents Teaching Their Teen to Drive

WSDI Staff — Tue, 02 May 2017 20:04:00 GMT

For most parents, driving schools are a godsend. While we could not agree more, it is also normal for parents to want to personally teach driving to their teenagers. For one, it saves them considerable amounts of money in training fees, and they also get to closely monitor what their kids do behind the wheel.

Before you think about teaching your kid how to drive, ensure that you are qualified, which means:

You have a valid driver’s license.
You know the rules of the road.
You are comfortable sitting on the passenger seat with an unlicensed driver.
You will take full responsibility if anything goes wrong, and that includes having your own driver’s license revoked.

With that out of the way, here is a list of helpful tips for parents teaching their teen to drive:

1) Be patient and keep your cool

In general, teaching is no walk in the park. You need to expect that teaching your teen driver will be difficult. Because teenagers can be particularly touchy, it is essential to be patient and keep your cool no matter how frustrating things become. Remember those days when you first learned to drive. You had your own share of difficulties, and teenagers are likely to have theirs as well.

Yelling or overreacting to their poor driving skills will not help. If anything, it erodes your teen’s confidence and will make the learning process extra cumbersome. It is also distracting and can lead to accidents. Instead, gently explain to your child what they are doing wrong and how to do it right. This reinforces the fact that you are there to help, and not magnify their weaknesses (as some teenagers tend to think of parents criticizing them).

2) Plan your route

There is a saying that goes, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” This especially rings true when teaching teenagers how to drive. Some roads just are not suitable for student drivers, and some drivers will not be forgiving toward novice drivers.

More importantly, choosing a practice route that is way beyond your child’s comfort range makes it challenging to assess their performance. Is the mistake a result of the difficult road conditions, your vague instructions, or because your child still lacks skill and needs more practice?

Remember that undue stress diminishes your child’s confidence and perhaps even their overall enthusiasm toward learning how to drive.

3) Start small and take things slowly

Give your child ample time to progress from one skill level to the next. No matter how enticing the thought, it is a bad idea to prematurely ask your teen to drive at a busy intersection.

Begin with the fundamentals. Have your teen first master basic car controls on quiet roads, such as an empty parking lot. When in the parking lot, teach them how to start and stop the car, accelerate, and turn right, left, or make a U-turn. Practice next in quiet neighborhoods with not many cars. As your teenager becomes more skilled, move on to roads with traffic.

4) Provide clear instructions

Teaching a teen to drive can be stressful for both parties, so make sure to not add to the tension by offering ambiguous instructions. Say “brake” instead of “slow down,” “watch out,” or “be careful.” Say “correct” instead of “right” when acknowledging that your teenager did the right maneuver or provided the right answer to a question. “Right” can easily be misunderstood as “turn right.”

Remind your teenager to always look beyond just the car in front of them. They should keep an eye out for pedestrians, roadblocks, traffic signs, cars braking up ahead, and emergency vehicles.

5) Practice a lot

Perhaps the single best way to ensure your teenager stays safe while driving is by giving them as much supervised driving practice as you can. After all, practice makes perfect.

During these practice sessions, make an effort to stay focused. Although it may seem second-nature, don’t bring up touchy subjects such as grades, homework, boyfriends/girlfriends, or anything else that may distract from the task at hand. Even if something goes awry, such as running a yellow light or forgetting to use the turn signal, remain calm and give feedback in a constructive and respectful tone at the appropriate time.

As your child’s driving skills advance, allow them longer driving time in more complicated road situations and with different routes. Have them practice driving at different times of the day, including at night, and in various weather conditions. This gives them a feel for how the car behaves on wet or icy pavements.

6) Lead by Example

Your obligation as a parent is to help your teen become a safe driver. According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, parental involvement in driving significantly reduces dangerous driving habits during a driver’s first 12-18 months behind the wheel. Although your child hasn’t spent much time behind the wheel yet, they have observed your driving habits throughout the years and have likely picked up on a few things. Somethings to keep in mind when setting an example for your child:

Always drive the speed limit
Always maintain a safe distance between you and the car in front
Always wear your seat belt
Obey all traffic laws
Refrain from using your cell phone

What you teach them sets the stage for the habits they will carry throughout their lives. Your driving should set a personal example for your child to emulate.

7) Training by an Expert

While practicing with your teen is important, it shouldn’t take the place of expert training through a local driving school. Professional instructors have been trained on the common mistakes new drivers tend to make and they are current and up-to-date on best-in-class curriculums and courses in the country. It is a driving institute’s job to make your teen an informed and safe driver in a professional atmosphere.

Final word

Teaching a teenager how to drive is a serious responsibility parents should take to heart. Ensuring your kids have the necessary driving skills will keep them safe on the road, especially when they are out driving on their own.

If you need help from experts who teach drivers education in Colorado, Western Slope Driving Institute is a Littleton drivers education institution offering basic and advanced driving courses for teenagers. Call us for any questions or if you would like to enroll your teenage driver in any of our courses.

How to Prepare Your Car for Spring Driving

lrobideau@wsdidrive.com (Lindsey Robideau) — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 16:53:51 GMT

Winter driving is tough, as Colorado drivers can attest to. Heavy snow, freezing rain, and black ice make the roads dangerous for motorists.

While the onset of spring does not magically turn problem roads into Dream Boulevard in a snap, the spring/summer season is when you can forget about driving in frigid temperatures or hitting patches of ice.

So how do you best prepare your car for spring and summer when vacations and long drives await?

How to prepare your car for spring driving

1) Clean the outside and inside of your car.

Snow and corrosive road salt can damage your paint job, so give your car a little pampering and take it to a carwash. Get the package that includes undercarriage cleaning. The undercarriage is where salt and other winter grime accumulate. If you would rather wash the car yourself, here are some carwashing tips to earmark for future reference.

Some items you have stashed in your car for the winter may no longer be needed, such as a shovel or ice scraper. Until such time you need them back, keeping them in the garage will declutter your car and save up on space. Now is the time to also thoroughly clean your vehicle’s upholstery, carpet, and floor mats. Be sure to always wash the windows and get some real parallel parking tips.

2) Check your brakes.

Rough driving conditions during winter can take a toll on your car's brake performance. Screeching and other piercing noises when you apply the brakes are a sign of pad wear, so have your pads checked before you damage other car parts.

According to the Les Schwab Tire Center, other symptoms of a brake problem include:

Brake indicator light is on
Vibration or wobbling when braking
Leaking brake fluid
Soft brake pedal
Burning smell
Car pulls to one side when braking

3) Check your tires.

Check the air pressure on all your tires (including the spare), and if necessary, adjust to follow the manufacturer’s recommended air pressure. Also, check your tires’ tread depth. Balding tires are dangerous, especially during rainy days when a good grip on wet pavements is essential.

If you are using winter tires, schedule a tire change. Winter tires wear faster on warm, dry roads and can negatively affect your car’s road performance. Remember to check them for any signs of wear and tear before you store them.

And then comes tire rotation. Rotating your tires at the recommended times evens out tire wear and preserves traction. Check your car’s manual for specific rotation patterns.

4) Check your wheel alignment.

Potholes and other unfavorable road conditions are bad news for your car’s wheel alignment. Misaligned wheels can cause rapid or uneven tire wear, and increase fuel consumption due to more energy required to drive your car.

Other signs of misaligned wheels to watch out for, according to Firestone Complete Auto Care, are:

Squealing tires
Car that pulls to the left or right
Crooked steering wheel when driving straight

5) Check your car’s fluids.

Car fluids you should be checking include power steering fluid, brake fluid, cooling system fluid, and a possible oil change. An oil change may hurt your wallet a bit, but deferring one when your car needs it may end up in you shelling out thousands for a transmission repair or replacement.

Do not forget to also check the car’s lights, belts, battery, spark plugs, air filter, wiper blades, and air conditioner.

6) Winterize Your Vehicle

Make sure that your car is ready for any conditions. Get snow or all weather tires, as well as chains for when the snow gets very deep. Remember that snow tires can still slide on ice or packed snow, so chains are a great option to have. Also, it is important to keep your vehicle in excellent driving condition. Be cognizant of the condition of your tires, lights, windshield wipers, wiper fluid, brakes, defroster, and radiator. If any of these parts need repair, take your car to a trusted mechanic and before heading out in the snow.

7) Warm Up Your Car

Allow for a solid amount of warm-up time before driving. 15-20 minutes of time with the engine on should do the trick depending on the type car and the weather conditions outside. This is a great thing to do while digging your car out of the snow and scraping the snow from your windshield. This gives your defroster a chance to really get working to ensure you have clear windows by the time you get rolling.

8) Get a Feel for the Road

If possible, drive around in an empty parking lot to test braking ability and steering. This will give you a great estimation as to how much pressure you can apply to your brakes and how fast you can initiate a turn to avoid spinning out. This step is very important to develop your awareness of the conditions before getting out on the road.

9) Drive Slow and Keep Your Distance

Although this may seem like an obvious tip, many people still think that it’s perfectly safe to drive fast in the snow. No matter how deep the powder is in the mountains, it’s imperative that you hold your horses and adapt to the weather. A good tip for speed management in the snow is to drive half of the suggested speed limit or less. Slower driving allows the tires to maintain traction on the road, which can be lost when RPM and velocity of your vehicle are higher.

Additionally, it is very important to keep a good amount of distance between the car in front and yourself. Many rear-end crashes occur in snowy weather because drivers forget to leave stopping space. Usually, it is good to keep about twice the distance you would usually have between the car in front of you and your own.

Final word

During winter, your car works extra hard. Ensure it stays in shape for spring and summer driving by keeping the above pointers in mind. Additionally, make sure you are prepared to safely drive in the rain.

If you are looking for a driving school to mold your teenage driver into a safe driver for life, Western Slope Driving Institute is a Littleton driver’s education provider that values teaching excellence. Proof is its employment of retired and active police officers as faculty members.

For any questions you may have, or if you would like to sign up your child for any of our courses, please give us a call.

How to Change a Flat Tire Quickly

lrobideau@wsdidrive.com (Lindsey Robideau) — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 18:35:00 GMT

A flat tire is an inconvenience any driver can run across. It can be tricky and need experience such as parallel parking tips. Sure, roadside assistance is generally just a phone call away, but knowing how to change a flat tire is a very important life skill. If you do it right by following all the steps properly it should only take approximately 15 to 30 minutes.

Changing a tire is not rocket science. Dealing with a flat tire properly only requires the appropriate tools, know-how, and willingness to roll up your sleeves and get to work.

Tools you need

Working spare tire
Lug wrench
Jack
Wheel wedges
Gloves
Flashlight with spare batteries (when you need to change a tire at night), which should be in your car emergency kit
Flares and reflective triangles
Car owner’s manual
Tire gauge

How to change a flat tire

1) Find a safe place to pull over and turn on your hazard lights.

Do not abruptly make a turn or step on the brakes in a panic when you sense that one of your tires has gone flat while driving. Instead, gradually ease the car off the road and pull over in a safe place. Level ground, such as an empty parking lot, is the best place to change a flat tire. In the absence of one, choose a “flat stretch of road with a wide shoulder,” says Bridgestone, and not a “narrow shoulder with oncoming traffic.”

If you are on the highway, slowly drive to the nearest exit ramp where you are away from the busy road. Continuously driving on a flat tire to find a suitable place may damage the tire further, but between buying a new one and being hit by a distracted driver, the former is the more palatable choice. If you cannot maneuver to a safe area, put as much space between your car and the traffic by pulling over to the far right.

Once you have found your spot, turn on your hazard lights. Better yet, turn them on the moment you hear the flapping sound of a flat tire, right before you pull over.

2) Put the car in park before turning the engine off.

This minimizes the chances of your car rolling. If you have a working parking brake, it might be a good idea to make sure that it is activated or engaged.

3) Position flares or reflective triangles behind your car.

Particularly important at night or when it is raining, the flares or reflective signs must be bright enough to be noticed from a distance and warn other drivers of a disabled car ahead.

If you do not have any flares or reflective signs, it is essential that your hazard lights are flashing so you can be seen.

4) Place the wheel wedges on the opposite side of the flat tire.

Position the wheel wedges in front or at the back of the car’s wheel opposite the flat tire. They should hold the car in place while you are changing the tire. If you do not have wheel wedges, look around for a rock or other sturdy object that will help keep the car from rolling.

5) Pry open the wheel cover (hubcap).

This step is only applicable when the lug nuts are not exposed. Use the flat end of your lug wrench to pry open and remove the hubcap. Some covers may require a different tool, so check your car owner’s manual if this is the case with your car.

6) Loosen the nuts but do not remove them yet.

Use the lug wrench to loosen the nuts. Only completely remove them when you are ready to also remove the tire from the car.

If you loosen the lug nuts while your car is raised, you are more likely to cause the car to fall off the jack. This could result in a serious injury.

7) Place the jack underneath the car.

Refer to your vehicle’s manual for the exact location and lifting instructions. Improper lifting may damage your car and even endanger your life. Raise the car until the tire is about six inches off the ground.

Remember to never put any part of your body under the car. In the unfortunate case that the jack collapses, you are out of harm’s way.

8) Loosen the lug nuts completely.

Unscrew the nuts and keep them in a safe place, or if available, turn the hubcap upside down and use as a tray. You will need the same set of nuts to secure the spare tire.

9) Remove the flat tire.

Remove the flat by pulling it toward you. Once removed, set it safely aside so it does not roll away.

10) Replace the flat with the spare tire.

Replace the flat by mounting the spare into the exposed lug bolts. Push the tire in place.

11) Put back the lug nuts.

Put the lug nuts back one by one. Tighten them by hand, not with the lug wrench. Using the wrench with your car raised may cause your vehicle to fall off the car jack.

12) Lower the spare tire.

Lower the car using the jack until the spare tire touches the ground. Ensure though that the full weight of the car is equally distributed across all the tires. Remove the jack.

13) Tighten the lug nuts.

Using the wrench, tighten the lug nuts. Do this by putting your full weight on the wrench as you turn it clockwise. Tighten the lug nuts in a diagonal direction so that they are evenly aligned.

14) Replace the hubcap.

Reposition the hubcap, if you have removed it in a prior step.

15) Test the spare.

Measure the spare tire’s air pressure with a tire gauge. If you do not have a gauge, check the pressure in a nearby gas station. Remember to drive and park carefully because spare tires are just temporary replacements and are not meant for high-speed or long-distance driving.

How long you can drive on a spare largely depends on the type of vehicle you have. Some cars can carry a full-size spare, while others can only accommodate a narrow, compact spare. Check your car's manual for specific instructions. But as a rule of thumb, traveling on a spare tire should be at a maximum of 50 to 70 miles.

16) Stow all tools.

Do not forget to stow all the equipment you used - car jack, lug wrench, flat tire, wheel wedges, and reflective triangles, among others - in the car before you drive away.

17) Have the tire checked by an expert.

Last but not least, take your car to a professional and have them determine whether your flat tire can still be repaired or if you will need to purchase a replacement.

You can also check out this video on how to change a flat tire:

Final word

The ability to change a flat tire on your own is essential for drivers of all ages. So when you are replacing a defective tire, keep the above steps and tips in mind.

If you are searching for a driving school that can adequately equip your teenage driver with the necessary road smarts, Western Slope Driving Institute is a Littleton drivers education institution with former law enforcement experts as driving instructors. Give us a call to get your teenager signed up for any of our driver’s ed courses.

Top 11 Things to Have in Your Car in Case of Emergency

lrobideau@wsdidrive.com (Lindsey Robideau) — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 16:19:44 GMT

A collision, especially when someone gets injured, is a road scenario every driver dreads as well as their car breaking down where help is not close by. We have already outlined what you need to do after you get in an accident, but there are also certain ways to be prepared for an emergency situation.

The best way to prepare is to make sure you have the following things in your car:

1) Basic first aid kit

The contents of your first aid kit will depend on your needs. If you are currently on medication for an illness, you should have a few doses readily available in your kit. Other first aid items to gather include:

Bandages
Single-use ice packs
Disposable wet wipes
Sterile gauze
Skin disinfectant such as 70% isopropyl alcohol
Hand sanitizer
Surgical tape
Sterile latex gloves
Thermometer
Cotton balls
Scissors
Tourniquet to stop bleeding, or for fastening a splint to the body

2) Food and water

Have something to eat in case you get hungry. Include a can of cookies, or a few biscuits, and bottled water.

3) Phone charger

A device-charging cord is a crucial item in your kit. With it, you can charge your mobile phone conveniently while driving. If you get lost, the GPS tracker can help you figure out where you are or how to get to where you need to go. Keep a phone charger so you can also call for help.

4) Jumper cables

Jumper cables are used to connect your car’s dead battery to another battery source to charge it. To prevent battery explosions, make sure to first connect the jumper cables to the dead battery before connecting them to the good one.

5) An umbrella or rain poncho

This is so you do not get drenched when you need to change tires in the rain.

6) Blankets

Blankets will keep you warm during cold nights when you are stuck on the road without fuel and have to wait for help.

7) A flashlight and extra batteries

Most mobile phones are equipped with flashlight apps, but they are not created for poking around hot engines or searching for something under your car. A flashlight emits more light and is more durable than a phone.

8) Flares or reflectors

Flares or reflective triangles warn incoming traffic of an emergency situation. They create a protective “safety zone” around your disabled vehicle.

9) Spare tire

Keep your spare tires in the best shape possible. An article we have previously written explains when it’s time to change your tires.

10) Tire sealant

A foam sealant is an inexpensive way to quickly plug a leak without changing the tire and gives you just enough time to get you to the nearest auto repair shop.

11) Duct tape

A duct tape is a cheap and quick fix-it solution, such as when you temporarily need to re-attach a side mirror.

Final word

No driver in their right minds would want anything untoward to happen while on the road, especially in unfamiliar territory, however unfortunate things do happen. As such, it pays to leave the garage prepared for any possible contingency. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Western Slope Driving Institute's Littleton driving school offers professional driving instruction by former law enforcement officers. We offer a wide range of courses to choose from, even customized ones to fit your specific needs – from precision skills to driving test preparation, from online courses to classroom instruction. Contact us today to get your teenage driver signed up for a course.

Click here for some tips and advices on parallel parking.

Driver Fatigue: Tips to Stay Awake When Behind the Wheel

lrobideau@wsdidrive.com (Lindsey Robideau) — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 15:47:27 GMT

The ultimate solution to driver fatigue is coming by the way of driverless vehicles. Until then, drivers must understand the risk and the prevention techniques to stay awake behind the wheel.

To understand the risk, consider that drowsy driving caused 824 deaths in 2015, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. WSDI offers a Driver Awareness Program if you are interested in learning more about the issue and best practices to prevent it.

The following drivers saftey awareness tips will provide some immediate guidance for avoiding driver fatigue.

Control Your Sleep

When it comes down to it, getting the proper amount of sleep is the best defense for drowsy driving. Research indicates that lack of sleep impairs judgment and reaction time, similar to alcohol. Plan ahead and get at least 6-7 hours of sleep before a big drive or take a pre-drive nap.

Speaking of naps, they are not just what grandpa does during a football game. They are an anatomical weapon for combating drowsiness while simultaneously improving brain functions. A 10-to-20 minute nap is the perfect length to boost alertness. Sleeping in the car works out nicely as the slightly upright position prevents deep sleep. If you are getting tired, pull over into a safe area and take a few minutes to rest.

Control Your Intake

Making smart decisions about what you put in your body is critical for staying awake. Here are some well-known and unique food and drink options for your drive:

Caffeine: Coffee, energy drinks, caffeine pills - the options are endless and the positive effects are scientifically proven. For optimal visual attention improvement and cognitive processing, non-habitual caffeine users should take a 200mg of caffeine and habitual users should take a 400mg dose.

Sunflower Seeds: Chew, crack, and spit seeds to keep your mind occupied. If you do not have or like seeds, try chewing gum instead.

Fresh Fruit: Instead of your usual candy fix, pick up your favorite fruit. The natural sugars can deliver a boost without the crash.

Control Your Environment

An overlooked aspect of staying awake while driving is recognition. The slightest sign of tiredness (dozing off, swerving slightly, etc) should cue you to immediately make adjustments to you car's environment. Such as:

Turn on the cold air: Prevent a comfortable sleeping environment by keeping the air cold.

Roll the window down: Fresh air can provide a temporary boost.

Listen to loud music: Jamming, singing, and head banging can keep you awake - but remember, you are driving!

*These suggestions do not have significant scientific backing. Use them sparingly.

Get a Real Passenger

The non-technical solution of adding a co-pilot or two to your road trip is just as effective. It provides another pair of eyes to watch for signs of sleepiness. Keeping a steady flow of conversation going and trading driving responsibilities are common sense, but useful options for safety. Additionally, you can play road games like "I Spy" or the alphabet game.

If you do not have a passenger, you can still use the buddy system. When you are driving alone, call a good friend and watch the miles go by, but be careful not to get too distracted from the road. Be always cautious to your parking, and get parallel parking tips.

Get a Virtual Passenger

The Russian company StopSleep has produced a device that attaches to your fingers and has eight sensors that measure electrodermal activity. The alarm buzzes when you show signs of sleepiness.

Similarly, there are over-the-ear devices available with the same purpose. These devices sense when you nod off and vibrate to keep you awake. The issue with these devices is they only activate when sleeping behavior is detected e.g. dosing off. If you are driving on the highway, just a few seconds of inactivity could have serious ramifications.

Now that you understand the risk of driver fatigue and how to address it, you are ready to make safer decisions on the road. Do not underestimate the power of sleep or companionship, and try out technical solutions if needed.

To sign up for a driver's education course at any of our Coloroado locations in Littleton, Grand Juntion, Denver, or Parker, click here.

Hands-Free Texting Is Just as Dangerous as Texting While Driving

lrobideau@wsdidrive.com (Lindsey Robideau) — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 22:15:00 GMT

The concept of multitasking is complete rubbish, a myth perpetuated by an always-on, productivity-obsessed society. Whoever says otherwise is ill-informed according to Colorado traffic laws. Research referenced by Fast Company says, “People who multitask all the time can’t filter out irrelevancy. They can’t manage a working memory. They’re chronically distracted.”

This explains why texting while driving is a leading cause of vehicle-related mishaps, particularly among teens, as we’ve laid out in a previous article. Even a post on Big Think insists that texting and driving, which it tags as an avoidable epidemic plaguing our streets, causes more death and injuries than terrorism.

But all isn’t lost. Thankfully, as per the latest statistics from Distraction.gov, almost all states in the United States have deemed texting while driving illegal.

What about hands-free texting, you ask? There are states that allow drivers to text while driving as long as it’s hands-free.

It’s a known fact that despite the many warnings against texting while driving and the harsher prescribed penalties for offenders, drivers still text and drive. As a consequence, car manufacturers and app developers have teamed up to make texting while driving safe for motorists. Through voice technology, they can now read and send text messages or emails while their hands are firmly planted on the wheel, turn on their wipers and even order pizza using voice commands.

On the surface, this sounds like a win-win situation. As long as their eyes are on the road and their hands are on the wheel, drivers should be safe, right? In reality, however, this is largely a failure, as the following studies suggest.

Hands-free texting while driving is safe – a myth debunked

ScientificAmerican.com cites a Texas A&M Transportation Institute study, albeit a small one with a measly 43 subjects, that sought to analyze the effects of texting while driving, hands-free texting, and not texting at all on motorists. The conclusion was crystal clear: Hands-free texting is just as dangerous as texting while driving.

Continues the article: “It’s not holding the phone that causes accidents – it’s mental distraction.”

A 2013 CBS News article referencing an AAA study reported that the use of voice commands to send text messages or emails while driving was more distracting and dangerous than talking on your phone.

A study by cognitive neuroscientist David Strayer and his colleagues from the University of Utah, as cited by The Atlantic’s CITYLAB, showed that cell phone use, hands-free or otherwise, was in no way different from driving under alcohol influence.

The National Safety Council also says that “hands-free texting is not risk-free.” What it does is elicit a false sense of security. To stay safe while driving, drivers need to remember three things:

Their hands on the wheel
Their eyes on the road
Their minds on driving

Distracted driving, even if you’re texting hands-free, keeps your mind off driving and exposes you and those around you to great risks.

Bottom line, there’s no safer alternative to texting while driving than eliminating the habit altogether. Like we always say here at Western Slope Driving Institute, never text and drive in Colorado and other states. If you must send a message or take a phone call, pull over where it’s safe. A text message is never worth losing your dear life – or the lives of others on the road, for that matter.

If you need help figuring out the driving lessons that are right for you or your teenage driver, please give us a call. We’ll be happy to assist you any which way we can.

Dont Be a Victim: How to Avoid Being Carjacked

Joshua Rossi — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 16:08:36 GMT

Picture this scenario:

A bag of groceries in one arm, you walk toward your parked car. Your phone rings and you promptly answer when you realize it’s your mom calling. Your car is quite a walk from the store entrance, where there aren’t many other cars parked. When you finally reach it, you fumble for the keys inside your purse.

You’re about to close the door shut when a burly man from nowhere suddenly yanks you out of the vehicle. The next thing you know, you’re lying dazed and confused on the pavement, your purse gone, the groceries scattered on the ground, and your car speeding out of the parking lot without you.

Whatever the heck just happened?

Unfortunately, you’ve just fallen victim to a carjacking.

What is carjacking?

Carjacking, a combination of the words “car” and “hijacking,” is, according to Merriam-Webster Online, “the theft of an automobile from its driver by force or intimidation.” Carjacking is generally a crime of opportunity, the most vulnerable prey often the victims.

There are no definitive statistics to share on carjacking because of the different ways it’s classified among the many law enforcement departments reporting the crime, such as armed robbery or auto theft. But experts believe the reason car thieves resort to carjacking is because of the advanced anti-theft technologies cars now possess. With carjacking, all a criminal does is overpower or threaten the car owner. No need to decode high-end technology.

How to avoid being carjacked

First, be aware of the areas where car thieves are most likely to lurk. Carjackers typically are scouting for an unsuspecting victim in the following locations:

Garages and parking lots
Intersections with stop lights
Self-serve gas stations
Residential streets or driveways
Gated community entrances
Highway exits
Anywhere you need to stop or slow down

Of course, you can't be completely prepared for a carjacking. To make sure you'll be safe, keep the following in mind:

Park in well-lit areas. Or near store entrances where there are a lot of people.
Stay alert. Walk toward your parked car with the key already in your hand. Check the car’s immediate surroundings for anything suspicious. Be aware of nearby cars that are occupied. Check inside your car before getting in. A thief might already be inside, waiting. Be wary of people asking for directions. If your gut tells you something’s wrong, ask someone to escort you to your car. Once inside, lock the doors and drive off as soon as possible.
Stay off the phone. Nothing screams “distracted” more than Instagramming while inside your car, whether in the parking lot or while waiting for the light to turn green at the intersection.
Lock your doors and close your windows while driving. Sounds pretty self-explanatory, but this cannot be emphasized enough. You don’t want to give car thieves the opportunity to boot you out of your own car when you stop at the intersection.
Don’t leave valuables in plain sight. Place your bags, gadgets, and other valuables in the trunk or glove compartment where they’re out of sight.
Plan your route. Avoid driving in unfamiliar areas or shady neighborhoods. Don’t stop at isolated ATMs to withdraw some cash.
Keep your car tuned up and full of gas. You don’t want to run out of gas or driving a car that suddenly bogs down while trying to get away from a car thief.
Allow enough room between your car and the one ahead of you. As a rule of thumb, if you see the rear tires of the car in front of you, then you have enough room to maneuver in case you need to get away.

Carjacking happens, and in many cases, it involves the use of a weapon. Anyone can become a victim, and you’re responsible for your own safety. While the pointers above can reduce your chances of becoming a victim, keep in mind, never argue with a carjacker. Your life is worth more than any car in this world.

Western Slope Driving Institute and its team of expert instructors who have years of experience in law enforcement are committed to equipping you and your young drivers with the necessary skills and know-how so you don’t fall prey to things like carjacking.

Give us a call us today so we can discuss how we can help you.

What You Need to Know About the Colorado Driver’s Permit Test

Joshua Rossi — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 20:05:00 GMT

Learning to drive is an exciting time for teenagers and their parents. Still, for people who haven't gone through the steps to get a learning permit or a driver's license before in Colorado, the process can be confusing. Additionally, new drivers may be feeling nervous about the learners permit test and driving for the first time.

Before You Enroll in Driver's Ed

Colorado teenagers must obtain a driver’s permit before they can apply for a driver’s license. A good first step to take when looking to obtain your permit, or to help your teenager obtain theirs, is to enroll in a driver education course to make sure you're up to speed on safe driving habits before you get on the road. Ultimately, a good driver education course will do more than just teach you what you need to know to pass the test; it will help to reduce the anxiety for both parents and teenagers about being a new driver.

Students who are planning to enroll in driver education before they take their Colorado permit test should enroll between the ages of 14 1/2 and 15. A variety of course types are available, but you should expect to spend either a few full weekend days in a classroom or the same time equivalent in an online course forum.

After Driver's Ed is Completed

Once the driver training course is completed, students between the ages of 15 and 15 ½ are eligible to take the written permit test and apply for their driver education learner’s permit. When applying for a permit, teenagers must pass a vision exam and pay a $9 fee. After the driver's permit is obtained, teenagers are expected to complete 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice. Most hours can be obtained with a parent or guardian, and some are obtained by driving with an instructor to help hone your new skills.

Before heading to the DMV to apply for a permit, make sure you have the following items with you:

Proof of identity.
Proof of their Social Security number.
Proof of Colorado residence.
Proof of the passed written permit test.
A completed Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship.
Proof that they’ve completed the classroom segment of a driver’s education course.

Obtaining Your Driver's License

After all 50 hours are completed, the permit holder can take their official driving test. If they pass the driving test, they qualify to obtain their driving license when they turn 16. The process to obtaining a permit and a license can be stressful for everyone involved - from the teenagers learning to drive to the parents who are watching their kids get behind the wheel for the first time. That's why at Western Slope Driving Institute, we offer engaging driver education courses in a safe learning environment. Western Slope Driving Institute is an all-inclusive driving school, locally owned and operated throughout the state of Colorado.

Take the stress out of driver’s education and help your teenager be as prepared as possible for their permit test; call us today for more information on class schedules, course content, and more.

5 Tips for I-70 Mountain Driving

Joshua Rossi — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 21:10:00 GMT

Interstate 70 is more than 2,000 miles long and runs from Baltimore to the middle of Utah. The mountain corridor of the highway runs through western Colorado and reaches 11,158 feet. Residents and tourists use the windy stretch of road to reach nearly a dozen ski resorts. It's construction, completed in 1992, is recognized as an engineering masterpiece. I-70 drivers slice through the mountains via the Eisenhower Tunnel, the highest point of the Interstate Highway System. You have to learn everything about Colorado chain law passenger vehicles too.

However, many commuters do no revel at the mastery of this historic stretch of roadway, they despise it. Traffic congestion, accidents, and bad weather has made I-70 a contentious topic for locals. However, some government resources and situational smarts allow for a smoother ride. Here are five tips for I-70 mountain travel.

Avoid Peak Travel Times

We all love the feeling of taking off on a Friday and heading directly to a snowy mountain resort. Which is why everyone else has the same plan. A fundamental tip for avoiding traffic on I-70 is to avoid peak travel times such as heading eastbound during rush hour on Friday or Saturday morning. The I-70 Coalition, a partnership between 28 local governments have put together goi70.com - which takes the guess work out of predicting travel times. Check the travel forecast for updated westbound and eastbound predictions from Friday through Sunday. The site uses historical data and factors in weather, construction, and public events.

Need an incentive to change up your plans? The coalition has created a list of deals for those who stick around on Sunday.

Check the Real-Time Road & Traffic Conditions

Unpredictable weather and a thriving snowsport industry means avoiding peak travel times isn't always enough. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) website, COtrip, has you covered for real time info. It provides an interactive map with live camera feeds, average speeds, construction areas, and more. Enter your route and get a report with all the details you need before taking off. Go further by signing up for email or text alerts from CDOT. Or call 511 at anytime to learn about the current state of Colorado mountain driving.

Join a Carpool

Less than two years after launch, 20 percent of global Uber rides derive from uberPool, the carpool spin off the popular ride-hailing app. The market for convenient carpooling has been proven and is expected to grow. Carpooling fits in naturally for I-70 travelers, they're usually heading to one of the various Colorado ski resorts.

CDOT recommends SkiCarpool as a reliable source for finding a carpool crew. There's also waytogo.org which connects drivers looking to carpool or vanpool. The service is designed for home-to-work commutes but allows you to search I-70 trips as well. Facebook and Meetup are also useful for finding fellow drivers.

Know The Laws

There are two important laws to note in relation to I-70 mountain travel: The Traction Law and the Passenger Vehicle Chain Law. CDOT enacts these laws when conditions warrant them. The Traction Law requires either snow tires, mud/snow tires or a 4WD/AWD vehicle. A one-eighth inch of tread is required for all tires. The Passenger Vehicle Chain Law requires tire chains or a traction device. It's reserved for serious conditions when the roadway is in danger of closing down.

The SMS/email alerts noted above alert drivers when these laws are in effect. Highway signage will display Code 15 for the Traction Law and Code 16 for the Vehicle Chain Law. Ignoring these laws can result in hefty fines: More than $130 for inadequate equipment and more than $650 for blocking the roadway due to equipment complications.

Be Prepared

Even the most skilled drivers should still be prepared for emergency situations. The Red Cross recommends items like a flashlight, battery-powered radio, first-aid kit, food and water supplies, etc. Keep some rock salt or kitty litter in your vehicle in case the tires can't get traction or you get stranded. Other essentials like a shovel, blankets, jumper cables and ice scraper will be useful if something happens and can be part of your vehicle winterizing kit. Learn everything about Colorado chain law passenger vehicles.

Being prepared is ultimately your best bet when it comes to mountain travel and bad weather. If you're a new driver, consider training classes from the Western Slope Driving Institute. In addition to drivers education and traffic school, WSDI offers performance and awareness training which teaches evasive maneuvers and defensive driving skills.

As former police officers, WSDI's instructors use their experience to help drivers understand how to drive safely. They provide a range of classroom instruction, online courses and behind the wheel training. Check out their courses today.

When Is It Time to Replace Your Tires?

Joshua Rossi — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 17:55:00 GMT

The same way the soles of your feet absorb much of the strain during a mile-long walk or run, your car’s tires take a beating every time you take it out for a drive. Because tire failure can prove fatal, both to yourself and others, it’s vital to always keep your tires in tip-top shape. When on an out-of-town drive, you don’t want to be that motorist with a broken tire in the middle of nowhere with no way to get help fast. Also, when driving amid inclement weather in Colorado, good tire traction and careful driving can help you get to your destination without incident.

While there’s no doubt the friendly neighborhood mechanic can tell you when your tires need replacing, you also should know what to watch out for before you take your car out of the garage.

Worn treads

The ridges and grooves on the tire surface, commonly known as tread, increase tire traction on the road. In wet conditions, they deflect water from beneath the tires and prevent your car from careening on the highway.

Several factors affect tire wear, including climate and road conditions, driving habits, air pressure, and wheel alignment.

Tire manufacturer Bridgestone recommends performing the penny test to check for tread depth. This is done by placing a penny with Lincoln’s head pointing down between the tread ribs, which are the raised portion of tread on your tire. Lincoln’s head disappearing between the ribs means your tire tread is still deep enough, while Lincoln’s entire head visible between the ribs means it’s time for a replacement.

According to tire maker Michelin, the legal minimum for remaining tread depth is 1.6 mm, so remember to replace your tires before they get to that level.

Tire puncture

A puncture on your tire is bad news. Driving with one can cause the tire pressure to rapidly drop. As such, meticulously check your tires for puncture signs before you leave. The moment you see any, promptly replace the tire and have it checked by a professional.

Also ensure your spare is in excellent condition in case you run into anything that can puncture your car’s tire while on the road, such as rocks or nails.

Aging

“It’s impossible to predict when tires should be replaced based on their calendar age alone,” says an article on TireRack.com, due largely to the many variables affecting tire aging, such as exposure to the elements, frequency of use, and quality of care.

The same article notes though that the British Rubber Manufacturers Association (BRMA) recommends that all unused tires “not be put into service if they are over six years old” and that all tires be replaced 10 years from their manufacture date.

The Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association (JATMA) recommends roughly the same practice, encouraging consumers to:

Have their tires inspected after five years of use to determine if they’re still usable
All tires more than 10 years of age should be replaced with new ones

Final word

Your tires are your car’s first contact with the road. As such, be mindful of anything that indicates it may be time to replace them with new ones. And because driving conditions can be especially tricky during winter in Colorado, “Don’t wait until it’s too late” is a good adage to live by.

With law enforcement experts in its roster of driving instructors, Western Slope Driving Institute is a driving school that teaches students everything they need to know about car and driving safety. Driving courses can even be customized to fit your young driver’s needs. If you have any questions, contact us today so we can discuss how we can help you.

Click here for more tips about parallel parking.

Tips for Parents: Keep Your Teenage Driver From Texting and Driving

Joshua Rossi — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 21:45:00 GMT

Mobile device usage is on the rise. According to a study published by the Pew Research Center in 2015, nearly 75% of American teens have access to smartphones. As such, parents of teenage drivers have cause for concern - especially since the statistics on distracted driving and teenage driving fatalities are not very reassuring. Don't forget to learnwho can be in the car with a permit drvier.

You’re 4x more likely to crash if you’re using a cellphone while driving. [Source]
The average time your eyes are off the road when texting is five seconds, enough time to cover the actual length of a football field when traveling at 55 mph. [Source]
In 2013, 10% of drivers aged 15 to 19 involved in fatal crashes were distracted at the time of the crashes. [Source]
In 2014, 2,270 teenagers aged 16 to 19 were killed in vehicular crashes, translating to six deaths per day. [Source]

What can parents do?

Most driving accidents are preventable, and parents play a significant role in shaping their teenagers’ driving behavior. Parents need to make sure they warn their teens about the dangers of texting and driving.

Talk to your teen.

Driver’s education must be a continuous dialogue between you and your child until they have adopted a deeply-ingrained safe driving attitude.

Establish ground rules, such as:

Put the phone in silent mode or in the glove compartment while driving.
Replying to text messages can wait until after they have reached their destination.
Should they need to call or text, remind them to never do so at a stoplight. Instruct them to pull over instead.

If they are the type to have trouble resisting the urge to swipe and scroll, advise them to put the phone in the backseat or in their backpack while they drive, where it is extra difficult for them to get to it when it rings or alerts them of a social media update.

If push comes to shove, limit, or temporarily revoke, their texting privileges so they don’t text and drive. It could save them from a dangerous car crash.

Use apps.

Distracted driving apps are available to keep your teen’s attention on the road and their hands on the wheel. Functionalities these apps provide include blocking the ability to use a phone while driving, automatically sending a call to voicemail, alerting parents of their teens’ driving behavior, and setting rewards for safe driving, among others.

Here are a few examples:

Demonstrate good driving behavior.

Teenagers mimic what they see and do not always follow what they are told to do. If you text and drive, what is to prevent them from adopting a risky “If my parent texts while drives, but manages to get out of the road unscathed, then I can do it too” mindset? If you drive safely, your teen driver is more likely to do the same.

Final word

We know that the YOLO mentality is strong among teens. But like we always say, no text or status update is ever worth risking that one life your teen has for a momentary "LOL."

At WSDI, a Littleton driver’s ed institution, our instructors are all active or retired police officers and have experienced the drastic (and often fatal) consequences of texting and driving.

If you need help making your teenage driver understand why they should stay off their phones when behind the wheel, call us today so we can discuss how we may assist you.

Click here to learn who can be in the car with a permit driver.

Know the Colorado Vehicle Traction & Chain Laws

Joshua Rossi — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 19:05:00 GMT

Colorado is prized for its beautiful weather, including generous snowfalls. Drivers, and especially teenage drivers, should be mindful about driving safely on snow and ice covered roads. Many people die on Colorado's snowy mountain roads each year, but Colorado's traction laws are in place in an attempt to make those roads a little safer. Each of our driver's education locations covers how to drive safe in snowy conditions, along with everything else your teenage driver will need to know to get his or her driver's license.

Colorado's traction laws help people's tires generate more friction on snow or ice covered roads. The laws were created by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), and must be followed or else the driver will recieve a fine. Here's what you need to know about these laws and associated fines by not complying.

Differing weather conditions and traction laws

In times of inclement weather, CDOT will post signs about whether the Traction and Chain Laws are in effect. Drivers can also sign up for alerts to know about weather and highway conditions. Visitors to the state who are unfamiliar with these weather conditions should take some time to familiarize themselves with the laws.

During snowy and/or icy conditions, CDOT issues an active Traction Law (Code 15) where drivers will need to have snow tires, tires with mud/snow (M+S) designation, or be driving a four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicle. Adequate tires will have a minimum of 1/8th inch tread.

All terrain tires are usually mud/snow tires, but it is a good idea to check to make sure. Mud/snow tires are designated as such by an M+S or snowflake icon on the tires sidewall. Chains can work as a substitute if tires are not enough for traction.

Chains should be on the tires that are responsible for moving the car. Front wheel drive would have chains in the front and rear wheel drive cars would have chains in the back.

Laws during severe weather

During severe winter storms, CDOT will enforce a Passenger Vehicle Chain Law (Code 16), which is done before a highway is closed. During these periods, all vehicles on roadways must have chains or a suitable traction device such as AutoSock. During these times, drivers are advised to stay off the roads if possible.

Fines for violating traction and chain laws

Violation of these laws is a safety hazard and CDOT can issue fines. These fines have been established to protect the safety of drivers and passengers on the road. According to the Colorado State Patrol, there are over 3,400 car accidents each year and near 300 crashes involve fatalities. These sobering statistics are a reminder that these laws are meant to ensure safer travel.

Drivers who are cited for not having adequate tires or chains on the vehicle could face fines starting at $130. If a driver blocks the road because he or she is not driving with adequate equipment, they could be issues fines starting at $650.

Can drivers avoid fines if the law is enacted when already out on the road?

There is no leeway for drivers if they are caught in bad weather. Drivers can still be fined if weather conditions change and they are unprepared with adequate tires or chains. According to Colorado traction laws, drivers must get snow tires put on their vehicles or have chains or traction devices at all times.

The best way to drive safe during winter weather storms in Colorado is to plan ahead. Make sure you've winterized your car, and are prepared in case you get stuck.

One of the most important lessons that we teach in our driver's institutes locations in Parker, Littleton, and Grand Junction, is to be prepared for the drive before you go. Our instructors are all either active or retired police officers, and know how to stay safe on the road.

Announcing our New Driver's Institute Location in Parker, Colorado

Joshua Rossi — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 21:31:00 GMT

We're honored and incredibly proud to announce the opening of a our newest driver's education location in Parker, Colorado! With this new location, we can serve more people in the Denver area and continue our mission to teach teenage drivers the most current and up-to-date driver training in the State of Colorado.

Parker Driver's Education Courses

Our new location is conveniently located by the Department of Motor Vehicles in Parker. This is by the intersection of South Parker Road and Cottonwood Drive. Our up-and-coming Parker location will allow us to continue growing and teaching Colorado's teenagers how to drive with safety and caution.

Not only are there plenty of restaurants nearby for a post-driver's education meal, our new location offers every course and package. Click here for more information on all the courses WSDI provides.

Our phone number is coming soon. Feel free to email us at info@wsdi.com with any questions you may have, or to sign up your teenager for a driver's education class.

What Your Teen Driver Will Learn

WSDI can help your teenager with just about every aspect of their new drivers education from classroom lessons to behind-the-wheel coaching to taking the driver's test.

We offer the following courses at our newest Parker driver's education location:

Classroom instruction
Precision skills driving track
Online classroom instruction
Behind the wheel training

Once the driver's test is successfully passed, you can easily visit the nearby DMV to obtain your teenager's driver's license.

About Western Slope Driving Institute

With three driver's institutes located throughout Colorado, Western Slope Driving Institute has been helping teenage drivers learn how to operate a vehicle with safety for years. Our instructors are all active or retired police officers, and they will help your child understand the rules of the road.

WSDI already offers driver's education and driving safety awareness classes in Grand Junction, Littleton, and Denver. Each of these locations is ready to help your teenage driver learn how to safely drive in Colorado and the rest of the United States.

Curious for more information? Head to our FAQ page for answers to common questions, or head over to our Contact us webpage to ask questions.

Protect Your Valuables with These Vehicle Theft Protection Guidelines

Joshua Rossi — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 14:37:33 GMT

Something you really need to pay attention in your drivers education classes is vehicle theft. It’s not something pleasant to think about, but one of the most frustrating things that can happen is car break-ins. One of the most common forms of larceny in the US are thieves stealing valuable items in vehicles, leaving you with costly repairs and figuring how to replace your stolen items.

While there’s no way to completely protect your car from theft, there are some simple and easy steps to help prevent it. The overall goal is to make your car seem like it’s not worth checking out so the thief will move onto another one.

Deter Lazy Thieves

Most car thieves aren’t looking to do a whole lot of work, which means that they’re looking maximum gain for the least amount of work. in other words, they’re probably looking for cheap thrills and little extra cash quickly and easily.

The simple solution is to make more work for them to break into your car. Start by making sure you lock your doors and all windows are closed. Yes, pretty common sense but many people tend to forget when they’re in a rush. If you have a security system, make sure you activate that when you leave your car.
Another thing to consider is to keep your valuables out of plain sight. That means locking items in your trunk. Putting items in your glove compartment is not a good idea as it’s a pretty obvious place for thieves to look for items. It’s also important to not leave visual clues for potential thieves. That means stowing away cables and cords or even something as simple as a shopping bag or cases in plain sight.

If permitted by local laws (and if you personally like the look of them), you might want to consider tinting your windows so it’s harder for thieves to look inside your car unless they walk right up to it.

Keep to Crowds

Thieves don’t like any chances of anyone seeing them, so the last thing they would want to do is try to steal in crowds. Keep your car parked in a visible and safe location, particularly ones that are in high traffic areas. Even better if it’s a busy parking lot with lots of people walking around.

Something else to consider is to park in well lit areas. If you can choose a lot with attendants or at least visible security cameras close by so thieves know they will be watched.

Take your Keys

Never leave your keys in the car. Sure, you may be just making a brief stop, but thieves are on the lookout for easy wins, and running cars are definitely one of them. Many of them are on the lookout for these sorts of vehicles at ATMs, convenience stores and gas stations. If you live in areas where it’s very cold in the winter, it’s tempting to let your vehicle warm up. If you do that, never leave your car unattended.

That being said, don’t ever hide a second set of keys anywhere in your car. You may think you’ve hidden it in a good spot, but to thieves, it may be an obvious place and your car (and its valuables) will be gone before you know it.

Final Word

Brushing up on your drivers education should include making sure that you’re preventing your car from being stolen. Take all of the above common sense and simple tips and be sure to use them. Your car and wallet will thank you.

Click here for more tips about parallel parking.

What You Need to Do After You Get in a Car Accident

Joshua Rossi — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 17:37:33 GMT

Getting in a car accident can be scary, but many drivers are caught off guard from not collecting information, from failing to move to a safe area of the road, or various other reasons. It's extremely important to remember what you need to do after you get in a car accident.

Here's a few things that each driver should do immediately after they get in an accident.

1) Stay Safe or Get to Safety

Assess the area around you and evaluate if you need to move to a safer location. In a worse case scenario, your car won't be movable. If that's the case, make sure that you're out of harms way.

It's important to make sure that the other driver is okay. If anyone needs medical attention, be sure to call an ambulance.

2) Notify the Police & Your Insurance Company

If needed, you should report the accident to the police. They will help manage any traffic that accumulates, and they will be able to help with the process of collecting information.

In addition, you should report the collision to your insurance company. Collect the other driver's insurance information, including their insurance policy number and their insurance agent. However, it's important to protect your identity and not let someone photograph your license or registration.

3) Be Courteous & Remain Calm

Regardless of who's fault the accident was, it's important to remember to be courteous to the other driver. If it was their fault, it's best to remain polite and non-accusatory. Even it was your fault, do not admit to it. Your insurance company will go through the police report and any other pertinent information when determining who is to blame for the collision.

Other Things to Remember

Once you move to safety, call your insurance company and the police, and you've collected the other driver's information, it is a good idea to take pictures. Take pictures of all damage on the cars involved in the accident and any property damage. Be sure to document any skidmarks, or other important details.

Of course, if your vehicle is the only one damaged, and if there are no injuries sustained from the accident, it might be cheaper to cover the costs of the repairs out of your own pocket. If you report a small claim, your auto insurance might raise your premiums.

We don't encourage every driver that was in an accident to seek legal representation, however, it may become necessary depending on the severity of the accident. If that is the case, be sure to do your research and contact a local attorney that is familiar with Colorado's traffic laws.

As an added resource, we've included a checklist from an Indiana and Illinois based law firm.

Post Car Accident Checklist from Kenneth J. Allen Law Group

Our driver's education program is instructed by either retired or active police officers, and if you sign up your teen driver for a driver's education course at one of our Colorado driving institutes, they will be able to learn from their experience dealing with accidents and traffic collisions. Click here to register your teenage driver.

Digital Driver’s Licenses Will Soon be Coming to Colorado

Joshua Rossi — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 22:15:00 GMT

Have you ever left your house and realized when you got to your destination that you forgot your driver’s license at home? Soon, forgetting your wallet at home may become an excuse of the past, at least if you live in Colorado according to Colorado Traffic Laws.

The Colorado Department of Revenue recently announced that the state’s DMV will participate in a two-year pilot program that aims to provide Coloradans a digital version of their driver’s license. The project is titled the Interoperable, Trusted Ecosystem for Digital Driver Licenses and ID Cards on Mobile Devices for U.S. Jurisdictions. Iowa, Idaho, Maryland, and Washington DC will also participate in the pilot program.

The Digital Version

For teenagers, attending a driving institute and getting their license is a rite of passage. Printed, plastic driver’s licenses have been a norm for decades. They don’t just act as proof that you can drive, but they also serve as an ID to verify your age and identity. Now, the digital age is changing how we complete transactions and activities. Digital versions of driver licenses are just one example of this shift.

Digital driver licenses will resemble the printed version and include the same information, such as your name, address, date of birth, and a photo. It will also still contain a scannable barcode so machines can read the information on your license.

Program Details

The project won’t immediately do away with physical driver licenses, but the pilot program is being conducted to see if that is an option. There is no start date yet for the program, but digital security company, Gemalto Inc., has been awarded $2 million to develop a digital driver’s license through a mobile application for the DMVs. The funding is part of a $15 million effort to increase secured access to local and state government as well as health services. “We are very excited about this opportunity to embrace new technology,” said Department of Revenue Executive Director Barbara Brohl. “The Division of Motor Vehicles is constantly looking for ways to improve customer convenience and make our services easily accessible for all residents, and this is certainly a step in that direction.”

Benefits of Digital Driver’s Licenses

The use of digital driver’s licenses not only would be more convenient, but the full-fledged mobile app could also provide many benefits, such as:

Improve customer convenience
Make DMV services easily accessible for all residents
Drivers can review their licenses online – no more standing in line at the DMV
You don’t need to panic if you get pulled over and left your wallet at home
Provides security of your personal data
Can be updated more easily

Not only does a digital credential bring new layers of security, such as a PIN or fingerprint verification, but it is also much more difficult to fraudulently duplicate or alter. If you ever lose your mobile device or it’s stolen, your digital driver’s license can be remotely deactivated or wiped almost instantly.

More information will become available as the details of the pilot program are coordinated. For now, our team here at Western Slope Driving Institute is available to answer any questions that you may have regarding getting your driver’s license and regarding Colorado Traffic Laws.

Tips for Teen Drivers: A Guide to the Colorado Point System

Joshua Rossi — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 17:55:00 GMT

All Colorado drivers must have a clean driving record if they wish to drive legally on state roads. To keep driving records clean, teen drivers must first learn more about the official rules of the road and the penalties for not obeying these rules according to Colorado traffic laws. To help guide teen drivers in achieving a clean driving record, let’s take a look at the Colorado point system.

An Introduction to the Points System

Colorado’s points system is used to punish those convicted of some different driving infractions. Any traffic violation committed adds points to a driver’s driving record, and if multiple driving violations are incurred, a driver’s license can be suspended. The punishments under the points system differ based on the age of the driver.

Drivers aged 17 and under can have their license suspended if:

They collect six points within a 12-month period
They collect seven points at any time before the age of 18

Drivers aged 18 to 21 may have their license suspended if:

They collect nine points or more in a 12-month period
They collect 12 points or more within a 24-month period
They collect 14 points or more while under the age of 21

Common Violations and Their Penalties

Teen drivers rely upon tips from experts for minimizing their potential for committing infractions. The following are examples of serious driving infractions and their penalties under Colorado law.

Driving while intoxicated: 12 points and an automatic suspension
Street racing: 12 points
Evading law enforcement: 12 points
Reckless driving: 8 points
Failing to stop for a school bus: 6 points
Failing to observe a traffic signal: 4 points
Operating an unsafe motor vehicle: 2 points

Further Penalties for Driving Infractions

In addition to having their license suspended and incurring points, teen drivers may also have to attend a mandatory defensive driving course as part of their punishment for a driving infraction. Those who are convicted of driving while intoxicated or reckless driving will often be forced to attend classes to learn more on the rules of the road, and how their driving actions can impact others.

By learning more about the latest rules under the point system in Colorado, local teen drivers can learn the value of safe driving and its benefits for society as a whole. To discuss this subject with a local specialist, speak with our experts!

A Guide to Choosing a Safe and Reliable Car for Your Teen Driver

Joshua Rossi — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 17:31:24 GMT

It’s critical that your teenager’s first car offers safe and reliable performance over the years to come. By choosing a highly rated vehicle that has achieved the highest in safety standards, you can mitigate many of the concerns other parents face as their teen begins life as a new driver. Our teen driver education team starts the process by highlighting the safest and most reliable new vehicles according to research from U.S. News and World Report.

Chevrolet Sonic

Featuring forward collision warning and lane departure warning technology, the Chevy Sonic is considered one of the top vehicles for teen drivers. It received the highest ratings from all five Insurance Institute for Highway Safety evaluations and a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Another benefit is its telescopic and tilt steering wheel, which gives your teen driver the ability to adjust to their ideal seated position while steering.

Honda Fit

Built with a high-efficiency engine that offers 41MPG highway driving, the Honda Fit is an excellent vehicle for the efficiency-focused teen driver. In addition to achieving high ratings in crash safety tests, the Honda Fit also comes standard with a rearview camera, which is incredibly valuable. The Honda Fit has been named the best hatchback of 2016 regarding value for money.

Kia Soul

The Kia Soul provides parents with the ability to locate their teen on the road. Featuring UVO technology, the vehicle sends a text message to parents when their child’s vehicle exceeds a certain speed limit, goes beyond a particular geographic boundary, or is driven at a specific time of night. In addition to receiving top crash-test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety evaluations, the Kia Soul also offers smooth and quiet handling for your new driver.

Mazda3

The Mazda3 has long been considered a high-performing vehicle for high-efficiency drivers. The Mazda3 updated safety features that made it more of an ideal car for parents with teen drivers. It features an entertainment system teen drivers will love matched with the highest of industry safety ratings. The vehicle includes safety components such as forward-collision warning, low-speed automatic braking and blind spot monitoring to assure a highly safe and enjoyable drive for the teen driver.

Honda Civic

Similar to the Fit, the Civic has tested well in crash safety tests. Honda’s engineers are continually improving upon their vehicle’s performance levels, and this is highlighted with the Honda Civic 2016 receiving the Top Safety Pick award due to its Insurance Institute for Highway Safety evaluations this year. With forward collision warning and automatic braking, the Honda Civic sets leading-class standards while providing roomy and comfortable seats for both drivers and passengers.

By reviewing the vehicles available in the 2016 marketplace, you can pinpoint that perfect option for your teen driver. To learn more about the latest models and their safety features, call our teen driver education experts today!

Driving Safety Awareness: What to Do If You’re Stranded In a Blizzard

Joshua Rossi — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 15:43:59 GMT

In Colorado, many drivers commute in snowy and sometimes dangerous conditions each year. It’s simply one element of living in a colder, mountainous climate. Coloradans are driving their vehicle every day during the winter season, so it’s important that you prepare for the potential of becoming stranded due to the weather.

Snowstorms can arrive quickly in Colorado and may make your vehicle inoperable. To help you remain safe in such a scenario, here are a few winter safety awareness tips.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

To stay safe during a blizzard, preparation is critical. It’s important that you know which items will help keep you safe as you hunker down and wait for the blizzard to stop. The following items should be included when preparing your emergency kit:

Warm gloves
An extra scarf
Clean clothes
Water and food
Warm blankets
Cat litter for emergency traction on snowy and icy roads

Considering Options When Stranded

With your emergency kit packed, you should be able to stay in your vehicle and remain warm while the storm passes. However, you need to try to get help as soon as possible. If you have some charge left on your cell phone, contact someone dependable to let them know your location and that you’re safe. If you or any of your passengers are struggling in the cold conditions, make an immediate call to emergency services.

Leaving Your Vehicle

If you decide to leave your vehicle as the weather improves, make sure you walk with others. Before you leave the vehicle, place a note on the dashboard or somewhere visible detailing your plan and how to contact you in case emergency teams arrive at your vehicle while you’re gone. Remember to wear as many layers as possible if you choose to leave your vehicle and try to only leave your vehicle when you have at least a few hours of daylight left.

Locating Help

If you are unable to leave your vehicle, whether due to health issues or simply because of the weather, make sure that you’re able to attract attention from your location. One option is to place a CD on the front of the car to reflect light. This will help emergency workers locate you. You can also use a mirror to the same effect and attract attention.

Remember, preparation is key for effective safety this wintertime. By following the safety awareness tips in this article, you can ensure that you and your passengers remain safe in blizzard conditions. To learn more about this subject, and on how you can protect yourself on the winter roads, enroll in a driving course today!

5 Safety Tips for Driving with Pets in the Car

Joshua Rossi — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 17:42:12 GMT

Driving up to the mountains with your pet is a no brainer for some Colorado drivers. It’s a lot of fun having them on the trail or the campsite. Spending time together can ensure you create lasting memories for years to come. But many find it difficult to drive safely with their pets in the vehicle.

Our pet-loving staff has brainstormed a few different tips that you can use to keep both yourself and your pets safe when driving.

1) Make Sure All ID Tags are Current

It’s important to keep the pet’s ID tags current and ensure that their tags are attached firmly to their collar. This will help if they somehow escape out of the vehicle when you stop for gas or a quick meal. If your pet doesn’t have any tags at this time, make it a priority to ensure they have current tags before you set out on the road.

2) Never Leave Pets Unattended in the Vehicle

Make sure that the pet always has someone with them while you’re away from the vehicle. Not only will leaving your beloved pet alone get them agitated and more likely to try to escape from the vehicle, but it can also be potentially dangerous to leave them in the vehicle over a period of time. The interior of cars heats up quickly, and leaving your pet locked in the vehicle can cause them to fatal harm. Its also not a good idea to leave your dog in the car in colder months.

3) Create Ideal Transit Space

If you’re taking your pet with you on a cross country road trip, you should build the ideal transportation space for them. This space might be a leftover crate or an effectively designed cage, but it should fit a number of parameters. Your pet should have enough room to comfortably sleep and move around within the space. The container should also be designed so that it can be securely fastened with a seat belt. This will give your pet the optimal level of security during the drive.

4) Take Your Pet on Shorter Trips Beforehand

Your pet may become overly stressed if this trip is longer than usual. They should be acclimatized to the traveling process so that their stress levels can be lessened and they can begin to enjoy the drive. Try to begin this process by taking them on shorter journeys before your larger trip. This will also give you the opportunity to learn more about how they react during the drive, and to correct any behaviors that might cause a problem on the road.

5) Guard Against Dehydration

On any road trip, things rarely go exactly according to plan. Don’t just assume that you’ll be able to stop and get fresh water for your pet when you need it. Bring along some bottled water, or even tap water stored in plastic jugs.

Dogs should drink approximately one ounce of water per pound of bodyweight each day. Obviously, this means that larger dogs need more water than small dogs, so it’s imperative that you plan to bring as much water as necessary.

Another way to keep you pet safe is to make sure you’re prepared for any situation that arises when driving. A high-quality driver’s institute can help you learn the rules of the road, and keep you safe in adverse weather conditions. Click here to learn more about our courses.

Our expert team is available today to help guide you with tips on staying safe while driving with your pets. To learn further safety tips, enroll in one of our courses today! And learn more about parallel parking tips!

6 Tips for Driving on Black Ice

Joshua Rossi — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 16:45:00 GMT

Winter driving through snow, sleet, and ice is tough enough as it is before factoring in black ice. Black ice contrary to its name is not actually black; rather it blends into the road or pavement making it nearly impossible to see. This is precisely what makes it so dangerous for drivers; it’s as slippery as normal ice and it is almost invisible.

Places to expect black ice includes areas with shade such as shadowy roads, tunnels, and especially bridges where the cold nature of metal causes ice to form quickly. If you happen to be driving in the early morning on a cloudy day or at night time, be diligent about looking for areas of the road that appear glossy and shiny. The winter sun tends to keep black ice formations at bay so driving in the afternoon helps to minimize encounters with black ice.

If you do have the unfortunate luck of hitting black ice, here are a few driving tips for staying safe.

1) Resist the urge to hit the brakes.

While it’s natural to want to brake when you begin to feel your vehicle swerve, braking will actually make you lose control and skid. Instead of braking, ease up on the gas and calmly tap the brakes to slow down.

2) Keep the steering wheel straight.

To avoid swerving off the road or into oncoming traffic, firmly hold your steering wheel straight. When you start to drift one way or the other, make sure you don’t drastically over correct on your steering wheel.

3) Slow down by decelerating or shift to lower gear.

Slowly let go of the gas pedal to slow down. Shifting to a lower gear provides your vehicle with more control. Vehicles with paddle shifters that allow drivers to easily shift to a lower gear gives drivers more control in the ice and in the snow.

4) Head for areas of traction.

Look for areas with gravel, sand, or white snow. These areas provide your tires with some much-needed traction to gain control of your vehicle. Always be wary of the “black” parts of the road, since it can be black ice.

5) Stay calm.

While it’s easier said than done, keeping calm, cool, and collected will help you get through the patch of black ice safely. If you find yourself in a stressful situation, pull over onto a safe section of the road or highway, take a few deep breaths to regain your composure, and continue driving. Never stop on the shoulder of roads as this is an extremely dangerous place where you’re likely to be struck by another passing vehicle or a car that has hit an icy patch. If you need to, pull into the nearest parking lot. Think about parallel parking, you need to stay focus and calm to execute this task!

6) Practice and know how your brakes function.

The best way to improve your winter driving skills is to practice. This can be as simple as practicing in an empty parking lot and becoming familiar with how your car reacts to sudden braking on ice, or it can be done on a track designed for practicing driving on ice and now.

Wester Slope Driving Institute’s precision skills track provides a closed loop course where you can maneuver around cones, barriers, and other obstacles to brush up on your emergency driving skills. Even more, the class is instructed by retired or active police officers, so your teenager can take his or her driver’s permit test and driver’s test with confidence.

Before hitting the road, read up on local weather and road reports and avoid driving in adverse weather conditions. If you notice that ice is forming on your side mirrors, it’s an indication that the temperatures are ideal for black ice to form. With a bit of practice and knowledge, you’ll improve your chances of staying safe on the road in icy and wintry weather.

Avoid These Mistakes While Driving in the Snow

Joshua Rossi — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 16:05:00 GMT

When you live in a snowy climate, learning to drive in bad weather conditions is a part of everyday life in the winter. Not only does snow make it difficult to see, but slippery roads and black ice are also factors that contribute to accidents. Not even seasoned drivers are immune to making a few mistakes when driving in snow. Learn everything about Colorado chain law passenger vehicles here.

According to a study by the University of California at Berkley, adverse weather conditions cause more than 1.5 million motor vehicle accidents each year.

Here are a few common mistakes to avoid when driving in the snowy Colorado winter:

Not Being Prepared for the First Snowfall

It’s likely been several months since you last weathered the snowy roads, so your winter driving skills are a bit rusty. The first snowfall is often the most dangerous day to be on the road as most people forget to allow more time for braking. Most vehicles may still have summer tires on which just adds the problem. It’s a good idea to begin winterizing your car in the fall and use all-weather or winter tires if possible. Remember to pack a winter emergency kit which includes warm blankets, a spare tire, an emergency kit, a shovel, and water.

Having Four-wheel or All-wheel Drive Doesn’t Mean You Can Speed

Having four-wheel or all-wheel drive gives some drivers a false sense of confidence. While these features can help you get through some snowy ruts and bumpy roads, it doesn’t improve your braking ability if you hit a patch of black ice. Make sure you drive at a reduced speed when there’s snow on the ground.

Tailgating the Car in Front of You

Tailgating in any weather is never a good idea, but it’s an especially dangerous in snowy weather. The time it takes for your car to come to a complete stop increases dramatically when the roads are slippery. To play it safe, double or triple the distance you would normally keep between cars in the winter.

Slamming on Your Brakes

Any sudden movement from your vehicle can send it careening across the road in icy conditions. If you hit a patch of ice, don’t slam on the brakes. Instead, keep your steering wheel straight and slowly decelerate by releasing the gas pedal.

Speeding in the Snow

Many drivers continue to drive the same speed in snowy conditions as if it were a sunny summer day. Speeding gives you less time to respond and brake properly. Many drivers feel obliged to at least maintain the speed limit. However, when the roads are slippery, common sense trumps the posted speed. It’s better to slow down and be patient.

To brush up on your winter driving skills, a defensive driving course may be just the thing to keep you safe on the road. Utilize Western Slope Driving Institute’s precision skills track where you can practice threshold braking, gap control, and shuffle steering to maintain control of your vehicle in all types of weather and road conditions. And learn everything about Colorado chain law.

5 Ways to Increase Confidence Behind the Wheel

Joshua Rossi — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 20:15:00 GMT

While working towards getting your driver’s license is exciting and empowering, it can also be a time of uncertainty. As a new driver, you have a lot on your plate. You have to remember all the rules of the road all the while applying your newly acquired driving skills to everyday driving.

If you feel a bit nervous or intimidated when you step behind the wheel, don’t worry, you’re not alone. With a bit of practice and education, you’ll be safely driving with confidence in no time.

Our Colorado driving schools teach our students how to boost confidence behind the wheel. Here are a few tips that we share with our students:

1) Practice and Practice Some More

There’s a reason why Colorado has a graduated driver licensing program (GDL); statistics show that driving and visual spatial and judgment skills take the time to develop. To get your full driver’s license, you need to log 50 hours of practice (with 10 of those being at night), plus 6 hours with an instructor. While this might seem like a long time, have fun with it by driving on different roads at different times of the day.

2) Make Sure You’re Up-to-Speed on Traffic Laws

Knowledge of local traffic laws is the key to driving with confidence. Completing a teen driver’s education course is helpful in ensuring you know all the latest traffic laws. You’ll learn the essential information on how the speed limit is different when driving in a school zone or a residential area and you’ll become familiar with all types of traffic signs.

For more information on local traffic laws, check out the Colorado Driver’s Handbook.

3) Get Familiar with Your Vehicle

All vehicles operate a bit differently, so it’s best to practice with the car you’ll be driving. You should know where to turn on the signal lights, windshield wipers, headlights, the emergency hazard lights, how to open your gas cap, and which side of the car it’s located. In case your vehicle ever breaks down, you should know how to change a flat tire, how to pop open the hood of the car, and how to operate jumper cables.

4) Remove All Distractions

It only takes a split second for you to become distracted and get into an accident. While you may think you can safely multi-task, don’t text and drive and keep your eyes on the road at all times. Phone calls, finding the perfect song to play, fiddling with your GPS system, or eating food in the car can create an accident. If you like to drive with music in the car, make sure you can still hear noises around you such as the sound of an oncoming ambulance.

5) Sign Up for a Defensive Driving Class

Do you know how to handle your vehicle in adverse road and weather conditions, or how to judge the distance of cars in front of you? Do you know about the advanced techniques of operating a car? Our driving programs in Denver, Littleton, and Grand Junction can help!

Taking a class at a driving institute to learn how to drive safely is a great confidence booster. Our teen driver’s education courses and precision skills track will teach you how to improve your driving skills with the most up-to-date, high-quality curriculum in the state of Colorado. Click here to sign up!

4 Tips for Buying Your First Car

Joshua Rossi — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 20:32:44 GMT

Getting your driver's license and buying your first car is a time of excitement but also one of uncertainty. For most people, getting a car is often touted as the average person’s second most expensive purchase after buying a home. How do you go about picking the right car? And, how do you know if you’re getting a good deal? Read on for a few tips for first-time car buyers.

1) Setting your budget

Before you get too excited thinking of your dream car, you want to make sure you can afford it first. Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

Are you planning on buying a new or used car?
Will you be financing your vehicle? Look around at various rates from different lenders and be aware of your credit rating. Ensure you do your research first and uncover any hidden costs.
Calculate your monthly living expenses such as rent, food, and utilities. How much money can you comfortably afford per month on your vehicle including gas, maintenance, and car insurance?

2) Determine your transportation needs

How do you plan on using your vehicle? Are you planning on going up to the mountains in this new car, or will you stay in the city? Whether you’ll be using it every day and logging lots of mileage on the highway, in the mountains, or if you’re using it for short trips around town, the car you decide to purchase depends on your transportation needs.

Driving in the Colorado might necessitate buying a car that can handle an icy climate. If you ski or snowboard, it would be best for your vehicle to have all-wheel drive. Click here to learn the difference of driving a vehicle with 2-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive.

3) Prioritize your wants

Within your budget constraints, what car features are most important to you? Make a list of your top three priorities. Some common features to consider are trunk space, all-wheel, 2-wheel, or 4-wheel drive, air conditioning, heated seats, Bluetooth capability, cruise control, a rearview backup camera, and much more.

4) Research different options

Everybody’s greatest fear is getting a bad deal on their car. One of the beautiful things about the internet is that you can research different car models, their features, and various car dealerships all without leaving the comfort of your home.

Once you’ve identified a few cars you’re interested in, try to talk with someone you know who has owned that specific car. What are things they liked or disliked about it? How much did they pay for it? Is there a dealership that they would recommend, or one that you should avoid? Be sure to consider all of your options, but remember that if the car you’re interested in is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty, it might cost slightly more.

Above all, do your research! With the proper planning, you’re sure to find the right vehicle at the right price that suits your needs and style. As the years go by, you’ll always remember that first vehicle, so make the experience as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. Don’t forget to take the right steps to get your Colorado driver’s license! Click here for parallel parking tips!

5 Tips for Preparing Your Car for Winter

Joshua Rossi — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 14:15:00 GMT

Winter is coming, and fall is the perfect time to prepare your car for the frosty, chilly Colorado weather. As the temperatures drop, your car needs some preventative maintenance to ensure it runs smoothly throughout the winter season. The last thing you want is to be stuck with will be a broken down vehicle in the middle of a snow storm.

Here are a few things to check for before the winter arrives. Be an expert in Colorado chain law.

1) Check engine coolant system and antifreeze

It’s important that your engine’s coolant system is in balance or you run the risk of the engine overheating when the temperature drops below freezing. For winter, there’s typically more coolant than water, so the ratio needs to be adjusted. Coolant also protects your engine from rusting. In the autumn, get the old coolant flushed, check for any leaks and refill it with fresh, new coolant that contains ethylene glycol.

2) Check tire pressure and tread

Slippery ice and unpredictable road conditions make winter driving especially hazardous if your tires are not well-maintained. It’s a good idea to inspect each tire’s tread; if it’s worn out replace the tire. Some people use all-season tires, while others change tires specifically for winter driving. Whatever your preference, ensure you change all four tires to winter (not just two) as the differing tires can wreak havoc on your car’s traction and overall system.

While it’s normal for tire pressure to change throughout the day (cool air settles to the bottom of the tires during the night and makes it look “flat”), you’ll notice an even bigger difference in the winter. Check your owner’s manual for the ideal tire pressure for your car. You’ll get poorer mileage and more wear-and-tear with under-inflated tires, so remember to check the pressure regularly.

3) Switch to winter-grade oil

The colder temperatures in winter require your engine to use a thinner oil such as 5W-30, especially if temperatures drop below the freezing point. Using the proper winter-grade oil helps to regulate your engine’s temperature.

4) Check heating system

Keeping your car warm in the winter is essential for safety and comfort. You’ll want to confirm that the window defroster is working properly, along with the blowers. Check your radiator for signs of corrosion or leaking.

5) Check your battery

One of the most common reasons vehicles get stranded in winter is due to a dead battery. A fully-charged battery can withstand colder temperatures before acting up, while a battery that’s running low on juice will tend to freeze even in mild temperatures.

And of course, it is a great idea to pack an emergency kit in case you ever get stranded. Make sure it contains blankets, flares, flashlight and batteries, a shovel and other necessities. With the right preparation, your vehicle will stand a better chance of surviving the winter months without a breakdown.

Do you want to practice your driving or brush up on your skills before the winter comes? Check out WSDI’s Precision Skills Track where you can drive on a closed loop track with various obstacles. Practice your braking, maneuvering, and skid control skills and learn everything about Colorado chain law passenger vehicles.

New Drivers: Sharing the Road with Pedestrians and Bicyclists

Joshua Rossi — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 19:26:53 GMT

As a new driver, there are a lot of things to remember. Knowing when to get your oil changed, what to do when pulled over by a police officer, and understanding how to drive on snowy or icy roads takes a lot of practice according to Colorado traffic laws.

One of the most important things to remember as a new driver is how to safely share the road with bicyclists and pedestrians. Colorado has a plethora of cyclists occupying bike lanes, and a careless driver can seriously injure a cyclist by accidentally wandering into the bike lane. Furthermore, to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 4,735 pedestrians were killed in a traffic accident in 2013. Drivers have to be conscious of the need to share the road. Here are a few tips on things you can do to be a safe and courteous driver.

Be Aware of Crosswalks

Many crosswalks aren’t clearly marked, and in many cities, pedestrians aren’t always going to cross the street on a crosswalk. As a new driver, you should always be aware of your surroundings, and if a someone is crossing the street in front of you, slow down until they’ve reached the other side.

Always drive cautiously in areas with lots of foot traffic, on a road with a bike lane, and especially around school zones or neighborhoods where children might run out into the street to chase a ball. Always remember that pedestrians have the right of way.

Yield to Cyclists

Even if you have the right of way, we encourage our students to yield to bicyclists and pedestrians. Many drivers get frustrated with cyclists on the road, but speeding by a cyclist to go around him isn’t the answer. Even if a cyclist decides to ignore the rules of the road and blow through a stop sign, as a driver, we all have the duty to protect those who are at most danger — pedestrians and cyclists.

Don’t Get Distracted, Not Even for a Second

Getting distracted by phone calls, texting, or even looking out the side window at the scenery is a potential scenario for an accident. Many accidents occur when drivers drop something, say their wallet, and bend down to pick it up while driving. Even though this takes only a second or two, it’s enough time for a pedestrian or cyclist to come into your path, or for you to swerve dangerously into another lane.

Stay Out of Bike Lanes

Bike lanes are intended for bikes only. Many drivers often drive in them if they don’t see any cyclists using them. But our field of vision in vehicles isn’t always clear. Cars have blind spots and are known weaknesses even for experienced drivers. Cyclists may wander into your blind spot without you noticing. If you are driving next to a bike lane, be aware of any cyclist in it.

Navigate Parking Lots Carefully

Parking lots are a minefield of distractions. Shoppers are pushing shopping carts, carrying bags of groceries, and trying to hang on to their young children. Slow down to 10 or 15 mph and watch out for pedestrians, cyclists, and even other vehicles who are not watching where they’re going.

Think of the Consequences

Should you ever make accidental contact with a cyclist or with a pedestrian, you as a driver will be at fault. Depending on the severity of the accident, your insurance will go up, you may lose your license, you can be charged. In the worst case scenario, a driver can fatally injure a pedestrian or a cyclist. Being patient and slowing down is the best prevention of collisions.

Becoming a good driver takes time and practice. With WSDI’s Behind the Wheel Training course, you can take as many hours of practice as you need to obtain your driver’s license. Practice driving in a variety of areas including residential, commercial and highways according to the right Colorado traffic laws.

What You Need to Know About Insuring Your Teen Driver

Joshua Rossi — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 18:44:00 GMT

Your son or daughter is undeniably excited about recently the idea of getting driver’s license or learner’s permit, but it is unlikely that they are thinking about car insurance. Don't forget who can be in the car with a permit driver.

Like most parents, you’re likely thinking, “What will happen to my car insurance rates?” You can expect them to rise with the addition of your teen driver, but there are ways to save money on your increasing premiums.

When to Add Your Teen Driver to Your Plan

If your teen has a learner’s permit, you may not necessarily be required to add them to your insurance depending on state laws. We encourage you to check with your car insurer and inquire when it would be best to get them on your insurance plan. However, it is important to note that some insurance companies require your teen to have car insurance when your teen has a learner’s permit. Ultimately, if your teenage son or daughter has earned their driver’s license, they must be added to your insurance. See what auto insurer might be right for your new driver.

Teen Car Insurance vs. Adding a Teen Driver

Should you get a separate insurance policy for your son or daughter, or just add them to your existing policy? While you should expect your premiums to increase when adding a teenage driver, the increase is typically less than the cost of taking a separate policy solely for your teen. We highly encourage you to contact your insurance provider to figure out the best option for your budget.

Car insurance rates rise for teenagers because they are statistically more likely to get in a motor vehicle accident. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teenagers between the ages of 16 to 19 are almost three times more likely to get in a fatal crash, with males more likely than females. Rates will continue to be high if your teenager exhibits risky driving behavior (i.e. getting in an accident or receiving a speeding ticket) or until your teenager is in their mid-twenties, which is why practicing safe driving is essential for new drivers.

Ways to Save Money on Car Insurance

When you do your research, there are a few ways you can save money on your vehicle insurance:

If your teen has his own car, ask for a discount for insuring multiple vehicles — most companies offer a deal. Advise your teen to get a reliable car over a cooler-looking sporty car, so your rates can be lower.
If your teen is sharing your vehicle, determine the amount he will be driving it. Making a teenager a primary driver often results in increased rates. Ask about adding an occasional driver.
If your teen is driving an older vehicle, an accident might make the repairs cost more than the value of the car. Ask your insurance company about forgoing collision and comprehensive coverage.
Encourage your teen to do well in school. There are good student discounts that reward teens with good grades with lower insurance. Even more, these teens tend to get into fewer accidents.
Sign your teen up for a drivers’ education course at one of our driving institutes. When your student completes a driver’s ed program, they can qualify for better insurance rates.

Driving responsibly is a major milestone towards becoming a mature adult. Get your teen involved in this process by talking about car insurance, so they understand how safe driving can lower car insurance rates.

Our Colorado driver’s ed programs are designed with teen drivers in mind, and our instructors are all active or retired police officers. We have locations throughout Colorado and recently opened our Parker, Colorado location.

Click here to learn who can be in the car with a permit driver.

Driving Distractions that Don’t Involve Smartphones

Joshua Rossi — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 15:50:00 GMT

We’re constantly told what to do to avoid using our cell phone while driving. Television advertisements and highway safety notices detail the dangers that a quick glance at your cell phone can bring on the road. But what about other distractions? Let’s examine several common driving distractions that aren’t related to your smartphone, and how you can avoid them.

Passengers Eating and Drinking

It takes just a small splash from opening a can of soda, or a whiff of a cheeseburger with fries for a driver to become distracted on the road. This is why it’s important that your passengers know if it is okay to eat or drink in your car. If it is okay, make sure they are trying their best not to distract from your driving. If it isn’t okay to eat or drink in the car, give your passengers a chance to eat their food while parked. Lastly, make sure that any snacks or drinks are in strong containers so that they won’t spill in the vehicle.

GPS Devices

In addition to your smartphone, there are a number of devices within the vehicle that could distract you on the road. One of the most common forms of distracted driving is when drivers focus too strictly on their GPS system. To combat this issue, driving apps like Waze cannot be used by drivers in motion. Tinkering with your GPS while driving is highly likely to lead an accident.

Changing the Radio Station

You might not like the current song the radio is playing but reaching down to alter the station while on the highway can be highly dangerous. The same goes for changing the track on your CD or any other audio source. Make sure you pay close attention to the road and your vehicle and only reach to change the station when you’re in a familiar area driving at a comfortable speed, or stopped altogether.

Children in the Backseat

It is up to the parents to explain the rules of the car to child passengers. Children should have a clear understanding what to do and what not to do. They should know not to throw toys or yell out while someone is driving. They should also know how to get their parents attention when they do have an issue. Creating these rules can help ensure that you don’t have to focus too closely on events taking place in the backseat rather than the road in front of you.

Driving in Unfamiliar Areas or Driving While Lost

Driving in unfamiliar areas may cause you to turn your head around to try to find landmarks and street signs to help you find your way. When you’re lost or in unfamiliar areas, stop the vehicle, put it in park, and find a route with the help of your smartphone, map, or GPS device. Make sure you have a route in mind rather than trying to make up your directions as you drive.

By limiting these distractions and harnessing the guidance in this post, you can ensure you achieve optimal driving safety on the road. To learn more, speak with our team today, or sign up for a driving course. Check out here tips and advices for parallel parking!