Stephanie Esterline's Safe Driving Tips

At 17, high school senior Stephanie Esterline has already had seven years of experience with cars. In This Girls First Car: Teenage Girls Guide to Safe Car Care & Easy Maintenance Tips, Stephanie guides every new driver towards a safe driving experience.

Stephanie is truly an inspiration, from writing and self-publishing her first book to encouraging girls all over the world who drive to learn more about cars. Girl Scouts of the USA had the honor of spending some time chatting with Stephanie to discuss her new book and get her thoughts on safe driving.

How old were you when you began to learn about cars?
I was about 10 years old. I would watch my dad work on his cars and learn from him in the process. For example, I would watch him change tires and timing belts.

Have you done everything highlighted in your book, including jump starting a battery, rotating a tire, and/or changing a flat?
I do rotate the tires myself, most of the stuff I have written about I've done. I've filled up my tire at home before. I had a dead battery and had to jump start it myself. Once, I was stranded at work and my dad came to help me jump start my car with his car.

If you were to give the first lesson on cars to a group of young drivers, where would you begin?
Probably how to change a tire because I think that would be the easiest thing to learn and what might be the most common. Changing the oil is something they can have done elsewhere but it's more important to learn how to change a tire in case of emergencies.

What should be the first thing people learn about cars and safe driving?
Knowing what could happen would motivate people to drive safer and better. If they knew if they didn't check their oil, some engine problem can happen and the car can be ruined; then they would understand the importance of checking their oil. Knowing what can happen can help people take care of their cars better.

What kind of car do you drive?
I drive a 1999 Saturn SC2.

Is this your first car?
Yup! It's the same car as all of the pictures in the book. (By the way, Stephanie took all of the photos, edited all of the images, and formatted the book all by herself!)My car is a stick shift and I've been teaching my sister how to drive it now that she is getting ready to take her drivers test!

Do you think it's safe for people to start driving at the age of 16?
I think so. I think that it's the parents' responsibility to teach their kids how to be safe on the road. It also depends on the individual, some people are very responsible and will take care of their cars and some won't. Some will avoid drinking and driving and others won't. The issue is not the age but the individual.

Are you into the whole "green driving"?
I know a bit about electric cars because my dad worked with Ford before. He was teaching me about how electric cars actually cost more to produce. Pure electric cars won't be something I would get but I would get a hybrid.

Describe your first driving experience.
I was excited to drive! Before I got my permit, my dad would take me to the parking lot to practice, so I was excited to drive on the road. But I would get nervous driving in traffic and it became stressful at times. I definitely couldn't wait to get my license.

Anything else you would like for every new driver to know about safe driving?
Good driving habits are just as important as car maintenance. Always know that the lives of people around you are also in your hands when you drive. If you are to endanger yourself, consider those around you.

We hope Stephanie's words of wisdom will inspire you to be a safe driver also!