Steer Clear®: An essential guide for newer drivers
Young drivers need a lot of time and practice to develop safe, defensive driving skills as well as confidence behind the wheel. This safety training program is designed to help newer drivers learn and practice safe driving habits.
Eligible drivers can get a State Farm® car insurance discount1 upon completion of the program requirements.
Text STEER to 42407 to get a link to the app today.
1 Discount names, percentages, availability and eligibility may vary by state. California customers may be eligible for the Inexperienced Driver Safety Education discount.
Disclosures and disclaimers
Steer Clear® Safe Driver Program availability and eligibility may vary by state. Contact your State Farm agent to confirm eligibility for the program.
Please remember that the preceding descriptions contain only a general description of available coverages and are not a statement of contract. All coverages are subject to all policy provisions and applicable endorsements. Coverage options may vary by state. To learn more about auto insurance coverage in your state, find a State Farm agent. Steer Clear Safe Driver Discount is not available in every state. For additional information, please contact your State Farm agent.
The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with State Farm®. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. The information is not intended to replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. Nor is it intended to effect coverage under our policy. State Farm® makes no guarantees of results from use of this information.
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company State Farm Indemnity Company Bloomington, IL
State Farm County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas Richardson, TX
Car Parts and Safety Features
Module 1 - Lesson 1 - Video 1
Welcome to your initial step in learning to drive! The following helpful information will guide your driving career. We’re here to help you hit the road quickly; but first, let’s go over a few car basics.
Car Parts and Safety Features | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video will help you learn about important car parts and safety features. Before you drive, make sure you’re aware of what each indicator light on your car means, such as the fuel indicator, emergency brake and seat belt lights. Know how to properly operate the turn signals, headlights, (including the parking lights and high beams), the windshield wipers (front and back, if you have them), the horn, the emergency brake, the defroster and temperature controls. You’ll also need a good understanding of your vehicle’s safety features and controls. Check to see if your car has newer safety features, and know how to use them.
False. Your vehicle owner's manual is a great resource for all of your vehicle's features.
Car Maintenance
Module 1 - Lesson 1 - Video 2
Welcome to your initial step in learning to drive! The following helpful information will guide your driving career. We’re here to help you hit the road quickly; but first, let’s go over a few car basics.
Car Maintenance | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is part of a series of teen driving safety videos. This one helps to understand regular car maintenance such as checking tire pressure, checking tire treads, oil and transmission fluids, lights, flashers, windshield wipers, and wiper fluid levels.
Being correctly positioned in your car makes it easier to fully concentrate on the task of driving. A common mistake, especially among newer drivers, is to sit too close to the wheel. Let’s go through some quick adjustments to ensure your safety and comfort.
Adjusting the Driver's Seat | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This is a video in a series of videos on teen driving safety. It explains how to properly adjust the driver's seat in your vehicle.
False. Your back should be in contact with the seat back.
Below.
Adjusting the Steering Wheel
Module 1 - Lesson 2 - Video 2
Being correctly positioned in your car makes it easier to fully concentrate on the task of driving. A common mistake, especially among newer drivers, is to sit too close to the wheel. Let’s go through some quick adjustments to ensure your safety and comfort.
Adjusting the Steering Wheel | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is part of a series on teen driving safety. It explains how to properly adjust the steering wheel.
False. The top of the steering wheel should be no higher than the top of your shoulders.
True.
Adjusting the Mirrors
Module 1 - Lesson 2 - Video 3
Being correctly positioned in your car makes it easier to fully concentrate on the task of driving. A common mistake, especially among newer drivers, is to sit too close to the wheel. Let’s go through some quick adjustments to ensure your safety and comfort.
Adjusting the Mirrors | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is part of a series on teen driving safety. This one shows how to properly adjust your vehicle's mirrors.
False. Side mirrors help you see the sides and behind the car.
True.
Adjusting the Seat Belts
Module 1 - Lesson 2 - Video 4
Being correctly positioned in your car makes it easier to fully concentrate on the task of driving. A common mistake, especially among newer drivers, is to sit too close to the wheel. Let’s go through some quick adjustments to ensure your safety and comfort.
Adjusting the Seat Belts | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is part of a series on teen driving safety. It explains how to properly adjust your seat belts.
A football field. You’d cover about 80.7 feet per second while driving 55 mph. Numerous studies have shown the average time a person spends checking a text message is 4.6 seconds. When you multiply the two, you get 371.2 feet traveled in the time it takes to check a text. The average football field, including the end zones, is 360 feet.
False. Having any type of phone conversation – whether hands-free or on a hand-held device – can be distracting on the road. Even if both of your hands are on the wheel, being involved in a conversation can take your mind off the road.
Lesson Summary
Before you get in the car, make sure you can devote your full attention to driving. Take care of potential distractions before or after your trip, not while you’re behind the wheel.
Five Ways to Avoid Distraction
1. Turn your phone off, and store it out of reach.
2. Set your navigation / GPS in advance.
3. Have passengers adjust the A/C and radio stations.
4. Keep a calm atmosphere in the car.
5. Pay attention to the road.
Driving Under the Influence
Module 2 - Lesson 2 - Video 1
In this lesson, discover the dangers of driving while impaired.
Driving Under the Influence | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is part of a series on teen driver safety. This video explains the importance of not driving under the influence.
False. According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, working the night shift increases a person’s risk of being involved in a drowsy driving crash by nearly six times.
False. Sleep is not voluntary. If you’re tired, you can fall asleep and never know it. When you’re driving at 60 miles per hour and fall asleep for a few seconds, called microsleep, you can travel up to the length of a football field without any control of your vehicle.
False. An open window or music has no lasting effect on a person’s ability to stay away. In fact, these unhelpful ideas may further mask the person’s lack of alertness.
Lesson Summary
Impaired driving is a nationwide problem, but with awareness and action, we can do our part to help lower the number of accidents that result.
Scanning for Hazards
Module 2 - Lesson 3 - Video 1
In this lesson, learn to scan your surroundings to view the entire traffic scene as you drive. Discover the dangers of driving while impaired.
Scanning for Hazards | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is in a series of videos on teen driver safety. It shows how to scan for hazards.
Turning your head. Obstacles in your blind spot will not appear in any mirror. You’ll need to physically check the surrounding areas by quickly turning your head.
Scanning 10-15 seconds ahead of your car will help prepare you for oncoming hazards.
Lesson Summary
Scanning the road will help you easily avoid most hazards. Keep practicing it whenever you drive, and it’ll automatically become part of your safe-driving routine for life.
Communicating With Other Drivers
Module 3 - Lesson 1 - Video 1
While you can’t control others’ actions, you can manage your own reactions to avoid possible problems on the road. Being courteous, keeping a space cushion around your vehicle, and letting other drivers know your intentions will all keep the roads a little safer. In this lesson, you’ll learn to effectively communicate with other drivers and become more aware of figuring out their intentions.
Communicating With Other Drivers | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is part of a series of videos on teen driver safety. It explains how to communicate with other drivers.
True. Also, it is acceptable when the car in front of you is not paying attention and sitting through a green light but not when you see your friends or a car is driving slowly.
False. You should make eye contact, use your signal, and/or politely gesture that you’d like to change lanes. These are all great ways to get the go-ahead to merge ahead of another driver. They’ll appreciate your polite tactics as opposed to someone who abruptly forces their way in.
Anticipating Behaviors
Module 3 - Lesson 1 - Video 2
While you can’t control others’ actions, you can manage your own reactions to avoid possible problems on the road. Being courteous, keeping a space cushion around your vehicle, and letting other drivers know your intentions will all keep the roads a little safer. In this lesson, you’ll learn to effectively communicate with other drivers and become more aware of figuring out their intentions.
Anticipating Behaviors | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is in a series of videos on teen driver safety. This one explains how to anticipate other driver's behaviors.
True. Try to keep away from drivers who seem to be agitated, distracted, or driving erratically.
True. Along with weaving in and out of traffic, cutting off other cars, and excessive speed.
True.
True. Along with monitoring your speed and checking your blind spots.
Starts and Stops
Module 3 - Lesson 2 - Video 1
Stopping and starting involves getting used to the feel of the gas and brake pedals, and smoothly transitioning between them. Proper braking and gas control will keep your car under control and provide a more comfortable ride for passengers.
Starts and Stops | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is in a series of videos on teen driver safety. This one covers starts and stops.
False. More potential hazards exist when entering and exiting commercial parking lots.
True. A car going into the parking lot is given the right of way over a car exiting the parking lot.
True.
False. The first step is to drive extremely slowly.
Residential Intersections
Module 3 - Lesson 4 - Video 1
Constant scanning, slower speeds and extra caution when navigating intersections will go a long way toward making the roads safer for all. Let’s take a look at managing intersections with traffic signals and stop signs.
Residential Intersections | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is in a series of videos on teen driver safety. This one explains the hazards of residential intersections.
Constant scanning, slower speeds and extra caution when navigating intersections will go a long way toward making the roads safer for all. Let’s take a look at managing intersections with traffic signals and stop signs.
Busy Intersections | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is in a series of videos on teen driver safety. This explains how to manage busy intersections.
False. A shared turn lane is a left turn lane that you share with cars coming from the opposite direction.
False. Roundabouts are circular intersections in which traffic must travel in one direction around a central island.
Highway Merging
Module 4 - Lesson 1 - Video 1
Merging onto a busy interstate is one of the more stressful lessons we learn in life, and for good reason. It’s a complicated maneuver that requires lots of practice to master. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to safely merge onto a highway, freeway, or toll road.
Highway Merging | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is in a series of videos on teen driving safety. This one explains how to merge onto the highway.
False. Wait until you’re about one-third of the way down the exit ramp to slow down, which will help you avoid interrupting the traffic flow.
False. It’s safer to miss the exit and take the next one, after you’ve safely changed lanes.
On to the highway
Now that you’re armed with knowledge about merging, we’ll take it a step further and consider how to manage your speed and following distance on highways.
Speed Management
Module 4 - Lesson 2 - Video 1
In this lesson, we’ll discuss best practices for keeping your speed under control and creating the right amount of distance from other vehicles. Taking control of your speed will help you maintain control, travel safely through all road conditions, and follow the law. With experience, you’ll develop a good idea of how fast or slow you’re traveling without constantly relying on your speedometer.
Speed Management | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is in a series of videos on teen driving safety. This one explains how to manage your speed.
True. It also helps with your tires and breaking system.
False. Besides the speedometer, you also need to be aware of the cars around and in front of you. This will help you anticipate the need to slow down or stop.
False. It’s “gas, roll, and brake.”
False. You should use cruise control in dry road conditions when you have good visibility.
Not only is it safe to keep your speed under control, it’s also critical to leave a good amount of room, also known as a space cushion, between your car and others. This will allow you time to react appropriately in emergencies.
Creating a Space Cushion on All Four Sides
Module 4 - Lesson 2 - Video 2
In this lesson, we’ll discuss best practices for keeping your speed under control and creating the right amount of distance from other vehicles. Taking control of your speed will help you maintain control, travel safely through all road conditions, and follow the law. With experience, you’ll develop a good idea of how fast or slow you’re traveling without constantly relying on your speedometer.
Creating a Space Cushion on All Four Sides | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is part of a series of teen driving safety videos. This one explains how to create a space on all four sides of your vehicle.
False. You should focus on the road ahead and scan your surroundings. Don’t fixate on any single point.
Changing Lanes
Module 4 - Lesson 4 - Video 1
Learn how to change lanes safely and manage blind spots. Changing lanes can be risky and should only be done when necessary. Let’s go over some quick pointers you’ll need to know before making your next move.
Changing Lanes | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is part of a series of teen driving safety videos. This one explains how to change lanes.
False. Signaling your intent to change lanes is the first step in changing lanes.
True. You should be aware of blind spots and be aware of the space around your car as well.
False. A common mistake for a new driver is to oversteer when they are changing lanes.
Blind Spots
Module 4 - Lesson 4 - Video 2
Learn how to change lanes safely and manage blind spots. Changing lanes can be risky and should only be done when necessary. Let’s go over some quick pointers you’ll need to know before making your next move.
Blind Spots | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is part of a series of teen driving safety videos. This one explains how to manage blind spots.
In this lesson, we’ll discuss strategies for safe driving at night. Many new drivers spend a great deal of time driving in darkness, yet many are unaware of specific strategies for safe night driving. While driving at night may not seem much different than driving during the day, there are important differences to keep in mind.
Night Driving | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is part of a series of teen driving safety videos. This one covers driving at night.
True. Check your state’s graduated driver licensing law before driving at night.
A) Higher than
Lesson Summary
By remembering all of the tips you’ve learned here, you’ll be well on your way to taking on the night.
Driving in Bad Weather
Module 5 - Lesson 2 - Video 1
In this lesson, we’ll discuss safety measures for driving in difficult weather conditions. Being behind the wheel in treacherous weather doesn't have to be a white-knuckled, nerve-racking experience. Our tips will help you gain confidence when taking on life’s storms.
Driving in Bad Weather | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is part of a series of teen driving safety videos. This one explains how to drive in bad weather.
Now that you know how to drive in many types of weather conditions, think hard about if it’s worth making that trip at all. It’s always better to be safe, than sorry.
Driving in Rural Areas
Module 5 - Lesson 3 - Video 1
In this lesson, we’ll discuss driving tips specific to rural situations. Driving on rural roads may leave you feeling safe and relaxed, but country roads present a unique set of hazards that you typically don’t have to worry about elsewhere. After all, how likely is it you’ll encounter a farm vehicle or livestock on a city street?
Driving in Rural Areas | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is part of a series of teen driving safety videos. This one explains how to drive in rural areas.
True. Give yourself extra room, because you never know what’s beyond the next bend. It could be a fallen branch or a bicyclist.
False: Use your high beams when possible to help you see in darker rural areas. Remember you’ll need to switch to low beam when you see another driver coming around the bend.
Lesson Summary
Awareness is the most important thing to keep in mind when driving on country roads. This, coupled with smart speed management, will ensure your safety and the safety of other drivers.
Emergency Vehicles
Module 5 - Lesson 4 - Video 1
Here, we’ll discuss what to do when the unexpected happens while driving. One thing for certain that can be said about car emergencies: they happen when you least expect them. Thinking about what you’d do in case of car trouble or an emergency can be stressful. But armed with knowledge and you’ll have the confidence to take on a nerve-wracking situation should one occur.
Emergency Vehicles | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is part of a series of teen driving safety videos. This one explains how to handle emergency vehicles.
It’s important to know how to handle the unexpected while driving. You need to know what to do if you encounter an emergency vehicle or your car breaks down.
B) Immediately slow down, and cautiously pull over to the right side of the road.
False. State laws may vary. You need to be aware of the laws for your specific state when it comes to yielding to an emergency vehicle.
Handling a Collision
Module 5 - Lesson 4 - Video 2
Here, we’ll discuss what to do when the unexpected happens while driving. One thing for certain that can be said about car emergencies: they happen when you least expect them. Thinking about what you’d do in case of car trouble or an emergency can be stressful. But armed with knowledge and you’ll have the confidence to take on a nerve-wracking situation should one occur.
Handling a Collision | Steer Clear® | State Farm®
This video is part of a series of teen driving safety videos. This one explains how to handle collisions.
You can’t predict when a crash will occur, but hopefully now you’ll be more prepared. Quick thinking, and knowledge, can help minimize risk and maximize your safety.
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