Tragically, teenagers have the highest accident rates among all age groups. This may come as no surprise since teens are just beginning to drive. Car accidents among young people 15-20 years old is the leading cause of death.
This is why teen drivers especially young males usually have the highest car insurance rates. Here are some simple tips that will help your young driver safer and more focused while on the road.
Drive Alone
When your teen is first learning to drive, they need their full concentration on the road. The slightest distraction could end in disaster. Having other people in the car talking to your teen will severely limit their focus.
Play The Music Low
Music is yet another distraction a young driver doesn’t need. If your teen starts singing to their favorite songs, this will limit their attention to the road. Also, they need to be able to hear the sirens on fire trucks, police cars and ambulances.
Put Down Your Cell Phone
This should be obvious to everyone by now, but talking or texting while your teen is driving is quite possibly the most dangerous thing your teen can do in a car.
Not only are they jeopardizing their own safety, but they’re risking the lives of other people that you could possibly hit with your car. This all comes down to common sense.
Your Teen Pays For Their Own Car Insurance
This is an important first step to your teen becoming an independent, young adult. It’s important for a young driver to understand how car insurance works. This includes finding out what coverage levels are required, as well as the financial and legal consequences of causing an accident. Paying for their own car insurance is great motivation for your young adult to drive more carefully.
Advance Route Planning
When your teen is first beginning to drive, they should only drive in unfamiliar areas. If they don’t know where certain roads and addresses are located, this will cause them to turn their attention away from the road as you try to find the correct place to turn off.
GPS is a great help in situations like this. However, if you don’t have GPS, your teen should stick to the roads they know for now.
Get More Driver’s Education
Your teen may have taken driver’s education in high school or from a local driving instruction company. However, there are special defensive driving courses they can take.
These are not required to get your license, but they’ll provide your teen with valuable information about what you should do in certain unusual and dangerous situations. Also people who take these classes are eligible for a discount on their car insurance.
Secure Loose Objects
When your teen is loading the car, they should make sure all loose objects are placed in the trunk. If they ever need to quickly slam on the brakes, loose objects could potentially become projectiles, injuring them or anyone else in the car.
Driving Parents
Mom and dad are the only passengers your teen should drive with. Since you’ve been driving for a long time, your teen will benefit from your years of driving experience.
If the idea of driving with you does not excite your teen, ask your teen to drive the car when the family is going somewhere together. Since you’re all going to be traveling in the same car, you may as well use this as an opportunity to get your teen driving experience.
If you are a parent of a teen driver, here are five apps you’ll want to investigate that will help keep your teen safe while driving.
Great article and very important information to share. Safety first! You have a lot of great and educational information on your blog, thanks for taking the time to share 🙂
Thank you for your feedback, it is most appreciated.
Gerardo