Or, "WOW, that stop sign went by fast."

By JAMES RILEY
RED STAFFER

If you're driving, you've been tested on the rules of the road, and passed. But we all know that just because you took that test doesn't mean that you remember much of anything. And just getting to drive yourself around is one of the greatest feelings in the world, if only because it means you no longer have to beg for rides, or worse, have your parents honk at you from a mile away, just so you know they're coming.

But let's not be stupid about driving, OK? Stupid leads to accidents, and those lead to permanent injuries. You really want to look back in 20 years and think about how you wish you still had that hand? And that's not even the worse case … think if your insurance rates go up! They're already through the roof cause no one thinks teens know how to drive; you really want to prove those people right?

You know the rules, like we said, but we've got some tips to follow that'll keep you safe, even when everyone else around you runs into trees and crap.

Pay Attention

This might seem obvious, but it's always tempting to do something else while driving. Just because you've never been in an accident doesn't mean that that 2 ton piece of metal you're driving won't plow right through that pedestrian just because your friend just texted you and you need to text them back right now. And yes, everyone talks on their cell phone while driving … but use the speakerphone function, if you've got one. That'll keep your hands on the wheel, which is, you know, how you swerve when the idiot in front of you slams on their breaks cause THEY got text messaged.

Don't Speed

Yeah, we know that everyone on the road goes like 10 mph over the speed limit … it's like the natural speed limit. But driving with traffic is different than reckless driving (not to cops, but still). Did you know that driving 20 mph over the speed limit IS reckless driving, and is a misdemeanor? That means you can get up to 90 days in jail and a fine of $1000. And you're not famous, so you're doing that time. At the very least, you're showing up in court, and believe us, judges don’t look too kindly on you just cause you're young. Usually they treat you more harshly so that you won't make the same mistake again. So don't be stupid, and don't weave in and out of cars. Just go the same speed as everyone else, and you'll be fine.

Don't Play Games

Sure, your friends might be in the back yelling at you to do something fun, or to drive on the wrong side of the street to impress girls or something. A) girls aren't too impressed with that … they like living too much to think that trying to kill yourself is cool. B) Think about how you'd feel if you got in an accident doing this, and accidently hurt yourself, someone else, or one of those friends who was pushing you to do this in the first place. While the friend might deserve it, the guilt would still be kind of hard to live with, we'd think.

Don't Drive Drunk

Do we really need to say this? That also goes for not riding with someone who is drunk. We're almost embarrassed having to even bring this up, it so goes without saying.