There are approximately 93days of summer. That means 93 days in which you have to worry about your teen driver running the roads–and statistically, summer months are the deadliest time of the year for teen drivers. Twice as many deaths occur during the summer months than the rest of the year combined, according to the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Recording System.
According to the CDC, the risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16–19-year-olds than among any other age group. In fact, per mile driven, teen drivers ages 16 to 19 are nearly three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be in a fatal crash. Here are some tips for keeping teen drivers safe:
Awareness:
As a parent, how do we ensure that our teens are safe? The first step is to become aware of the danger zones of teen drivers and teach them to your teen.
Make sure your young driver is aware of the leading causes of teen crashes:
- Driver inexperience
- Driving with teen passengers
- Nighttime driving
- Not using seat belts
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Reckless driving
- Impaired driving
Action:
Dr. Phil McGraw said, “Awareness without action is worthless.” Well, as parents concerned about our teens this summer, we can take five important steps toward driving safety, according to an article published by the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy.
- Commit to spending at least 50 hours accompanying teens as they drive between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Research by the National Institutes of Health suggests that graduated licensing laws mandating supervised driving can reduce teen driving deaths. Even if your state doesn’t have these gradual requirements, or your teen already has a driver’s license, spending time in the car with teen drivers can help promote safer driving habits.
- Discuss where your teen is going — and the safest way to get there — before handing over the keys. Help them make decisions about allotting enough time for the trip, choosing alternate routes when necessary, and following the rules of the road.
- Consider a written agreement with your teen that sets clear rules and expectations for unsupervised driving. The Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy recommends establishing a passenger limit and other guidelines that can reduce the risks of teen driving. Remind your teen that driving is a privilege, not a right.
- Talk about the danger of distractions like texting, channel surfing, loud music, talking to passengers and eating food while driving. Teens should think about how these distractions can affect their driving and how to handle them.
- Be a role model. Set an example for your teen with safe driving habits of your own. Follow the rules of the road, maintain safe driving speeds, stay calm and always wear your seatbelt.
And be aware that your insurance rates will probably soar when it comes to your teen driver. But, just like adults, the cleaner the driving record, the lower the insurance costs. So, make sure your teen is being safe and driving the speed limit.
And as always, talk to one of our insurance experts at Henry Insurance Service to find the best rates and discounts for your auto insurance needs.
