Safety Tips for Teen Drivers

September 20, 2016

According to the National Safety Council, teen crashes spike in September, especially during the times when school begins and lets out.  This is the result of teens heading back to school.  The NSC also states that half of all teens will be involved in a car crash before they graduate from high school.  These are some scary statistics, but you can help prevent crashes involving teen drivers by taking these precautions:

  • Choose a safe vehicle for your teen driver.  IIHS even lists the best used vehicle choices for teens here.
  • Enroll your teen in a driver's education course.  Driver's Ed may even be a requirement for your teen to get a driver's license in your state.
    • Teen drivers who complete a driver's education course may be eligible to reduce auto insurance premiums!  For this Driver Training discount, teens will need both classroom and on-the-road training.
  • Enroll your teen in a defensive driving course.  This type of course is a great compliment to a driver's education course.
  • Talk to your teen about distracted driving.  Distracted driving occurs when you use a cellphone at the wheel, but it also occurs when you daydream or eat at the wheel.  Make sure your teen is aware of common distractions and how to avoid them.

To further decrease the chance of an accident, be sure to have your teen follow these rules every time they drive:

  • Minimize distractions.
    • Turn off your cellphone (or put it out of reach and sight) to keep from reading or answering texts / calls.
    • Avoid driving with passengers.  Passengers, especially other teens, can be a major distraction to any driver.
  • Turn on your headlights to increase your visibility.  This will allow you to better see your surroundings, and others will be able to better see you.
  • Follow the speed limit.  Speeding not only increases your risk of getting a ticket, but it is a major cause of many accidents.


Resources

www.nsc.org/learn/NSC-Initiatives/Pages/teen-driving.aspx


This blog entry is created for informational purposes only.  Any viewpoint or sponsorship of outside parties involved in the blog entry does not necessarily represent Goodville's stance as a company.  The blog should not be used as a substitute for professional advice.