Holiday Lights & The New Driver

'Tis the season to be aware. With Christmas, Hanukah, and other festivals of light right around the corner, we can't help but notice how lit up our neighborhoods look. As you take note of the beautifully lit trees and brightly decorated homes this holiday season, it's important to take note of the other lights around that those holiday lights may drown out.

In this article, we'll focus on all the driver safety-related lights new drivers and experienced ones should pay attention to in order to ensure safe driving this holiday season. These lights are found all year round, yet a little refresher driver's education course in the form of an article won't hurt anyone.

Traffic Lights

If you're a new driver taking a driver's education course, you're probably well aware of all the traffic lights and the laws that go with them. In fact, well before you even thought about taking a driver's education course, you probably already knew that red meant stop, yellow meant slow-down or proceed with caution, and green meant go.

But this holiday season, with so many homes and trees lit up, it's important to be even more aware of the traffic lights up ahead to ensure safe driving. The holiday lights can be distracting -- especially those homes whose homeowners who have spent thousands of dollars and man-hours decorating. It's easy for the red and green of a traffic light to blend in with the red and green of Christmas decorations -- wreaking havoc for drivers who aren't constantly aware.

So, pay attention to what any driver's education course will tell you: Pay attention to the road ahead. Be aware of all conditions around you. Check your mirrors every 3-5 seconds, just as any in-class or online driver's education program would promote. And don't be distracted by those holiday lights. They may look good, but the traffic light ahead is where your eyes should be focused.

Emergency Lights

Remember, with more people on the road this holiday season -- and with poor road conditions in some parts of the country -- you're likely to see several emergency vehicles out on the road. Help promote safe driving. Fire trucks, ambulances and police cars will make their presence known with flashing lights. Remember, one of the first things taught in driver's education is the importance of letting emergency vehicles pass. Be sure to pull over to the right as soon as you see the flashing lights of an emergency vehicle.

Crosswalk Lights

Pedestrian safety is an important component of driver's education and driver safety programs. Don't forget, not all traffic lights feature the Red/Yellow/Green lighting system. Pedestrian crosswalks with flashing yellow lights indicate that you need to slow down and stop for crossing pedestrians. To ensure driver and pedestrian safety, watch out for these lights among the flashing holiday lights. They can blend in if you're not paying attention.

Enjoy The Holidays

With so much spirit in the air, the holidays are an exciting time. If you pay attention to the tips in this article and everything taught in driver's education, you'll help promote a safe driving experience for everyone out on the road -- on foot, in car or in sleigh.