Help Your Teenage Driver Be Safe

According to the U.S Department of Transportation, car accidents are the leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds. In 2006, almost 4,000 individuals from the age of 15-20 died in car collisions. Nearly a quarter of these adolescents killed had high alcohol levels. This is sobering news that illustrates how important it is for parents to encourage safe driving.

• Make sure your teen buckles up. This seems so simple, but almost two-thirds of teenagers do not use a seat belt. It's one of the best ways to survive an accident.
• Model safe driving techniques. If you drive recklessly, don't wear seatbelts and exhibit road rage, chances are your teenager will do exactly the same.
• Put in place strict rules when it comes to drugs and drinking. Not only does it significantly impair judgment and increase your chances of getting in an accident, it's illegal.
• Keep distractions to a minimum. Cell phones, text messaging, music and interaction with other passengers can distract a teen to the point of causing an accident. Teens are more likely to get behind the wheel when overly emotional as well, which could lead to unsafe driving.
• Driving school promotes safety and savings. If your teen takes a driving course approved by your auto insurer, you can usually get a discount off of your auto insurance, and teach your teen safe driving. If your teen gets a ticket, have them go to traffic school. Your teen will likely be a much better driver after traffic school just to avoid having to go again.

Keeping your teen safe is the first priority. By encouraging them to drive carefully, you can also save money on your auto insurance. If you are still shopping around for an auto insurance policy, you can get multiple quotes from auto insurers with InsuranceBureau's online questionnaire form.

Sources

1. Auto Insurance Tips, Philip Reed. Retrieved April 16, 2008, from http://www.edmunds.com/advice/insurance/articles/97806/article.html
2. How do I insure my teenage driver? Retrieved April 16, 2008, from http://www.iii.org/individuals/auto/b/teengage/
3. Teen Drivers. (2008) Retrieved April 16, 2008, from http://www.iii.org/media/hottopics/insurance/teendrivers/