on teen drivers 411

story by | jill henning

Anticipation,

excitement, and most importantly, independence are things you likely felt that first day behind the wheel. If you were anything like me, that wheel was attached to a faded, burgundy minivan with silver pin striping that my parents convinced me, was a really nice accent to the color. Nevertheless, it didn’t matter to me what it looked like…as long as it got me from point A to point B. Looking back, what I realize is that it didn’t matter if I was driving the newest model off the showroom floor or that slightly rusting minivan, it’s the driver behind the wheel and passengers riding with that really make the difference. With National Teen Driver Safety Week starting October 17th and winter driving not too far down the road; it couldn’t be a more fitting time to think about what we can do to help keep our new drivers safe.

With one in four crash fatalities in the United States involving a 16 to 24-year-old, motor vehicle crashes remain the number one cause of death for adolescents. It comes as no surprise that the first six months after getting a license are the most dangerous times for any driver. Therefore it is crucial that safe driving practices are put in place even before that first day behind the wheel arrives.

According to the National Young Driver Survey, which measured teens understanding of driving safety issues, several key findings emerged. The three key findings were:

• 60% of teens believe inexperience heavily influences safety, however only 15% consider themselves and their peers to be inexperienced.

• it recognized the crucial role parents play in teen driving safety

• teens who share a vehicle with a family member are half as likely to report being in an accident than those who are the main driver of a household vehicle

Although it might not be what your teen wants us to hear, parents should feel encouraged that the study also revealed that the majority of teens surveyed said their parents influence their driving behavior more than anyone else. Here are a few quick tips to keep in mind along the way.

• lead by example Your kids have been learning driving behavior for years, by watching you, so you have already started teaching. It’s one of the toughest and most important rules to “practice what you preach.” Whether it is cell phones, seat belts, or speeding being an “experienced” driver is never an excuse to break the rules.

• limit their distractions Most teens recognize that talking or texting is a significant distraction when driving. An option you may want to consider is to remove the temptation all together. When traveling keep your cell phone stored in a secured cubby. This will ensure you can locate your phone if an accident occurs.

• set house rules Teens who say their parents set rules and monitor where they are going and with whom in a helpful, supportive way are half as likely to be in a crash. They are also 71% less likely to drive intoxicated than teens who describe their parents as less involved.

• set initial limits to driving privileges Knowing the first six months after getting licensed is the most dangerous time for new drivers, consider limiting the number of passengers your teen may transport for at least six months and only allow driving during the day.

• learn to share with others When teens have to share a car, they have to ask to use it. This request naturally leads to an opportunity for parents to monitor their teen’s driving. Teens with primary access to a vehicle are more likely to use cell phones while driving and are twice as likely to report having been in an accident.

• create a code word Often teens get in situations they likely don’t want to be in, but aren’t sure how to avoid the peer pressure. By having a previously agreed upon code word to call or text to you can signal trouble and can give them an “out” from a difficult situation. This includes when they happen to be a passenger with another teen driver.

• have your teen meet with your local insurance agent Help your teen understand the costs associated with driving. One of which is to be insured on your auto policy. It’s important for them to understand how liability coverage works, what a deductible is and how to keep premiums as low as possible. It’s often helpful for them to see how getting good grades or having an accident can affect insurance rates positively or negatively.

Jill Henning and her staff at State Farm Insurance pride themselves on helping people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams. They have the insurance and financial services to meet the needs of every family.