4 Ways to Help Your Teen Drive Safely

Every year, millions of teens turn 16 and want to take their turn behind the wheel of a car. As a parent, this transition can be both liberating and nerve-wracking. In this blog, you will be knowing 4 Ways to Help Your Teen Drive Safely.

You’re excited to have freedom from the carpool job, but you’re nervous about affordable car insurance and that your teen could get hurt in an auto accident.

That’s a valid concern — in 2019, 258,000 teens were injured in auto accidents. How can you ensure your teen drive safely? Here are four tips that can help.

1. Set a Great Example

In teens driving, as in so many other areas, “Do what I say and not what I do” is not effective. If a teen sees you not wearing a seatbelt or using your mobile device while driving, they will assume they can do it safely as well.

Making sure you drive safely and avoid distracted driving does more than set an example for your kids — it also reduces the chance that you will have an auto accident and helps keep your Freeway Insurance rates low.

2. Set a Zero Tolerance Rule For Impaired Driving

When sober, everyone knows it’s a bad idea to drive while drunk or high. But when impaired, decision-making is not nearly so clear. Also, it’s easy for teens to be persuaded to ride with a friend who’s impaired but “not that bad.”

As a family, make it clear that you have no tolerance for impaired driving or riding with an impaired driver. In this discussion, let your teen know what options they have for getting home safely if they or their friends are impaired.

Without a safe way out, teens are less likely to speak up and more likely to drive impaired, hoping they can get away with it.

3. Buckle Everyone Every Time

Thousands of teens die each year in auto accidents, and unfortunately, most share one characteristic — they weren’t wearing their seatbelt. Make sure that you, your spouse, and other family members always wear seatbelts, even in the back seat.

Today’s cars have various safety features that can help someone survive a crash, but none of them are effective if a rider is ejected from the vehicle due to not wearing a seatbelt. Our team at Freeway Insurance never likes to hear about serious injuries!

4. Limit Passengers in the Car With Your Teen

Statistics show that the more passengers a young driver has, the more likely they will be in an accident. That’s why many states have graduated driver’s license rules that limit how many passengers they can have with them until they get more driving practice.

However, no one knows your teen like you do. You may not feel they’re ready for night driving, driving in bad weather, or additional passengers. Don’t be afraid to make your own rules, especially if your state doesn’t address this issue.

Safe Driving is a Benefit For Everyone

While your teen may not let you know it, being a new driver is nerve-wracking. You encounter situations on the road you aren’t sure how to handle every day. When you set a great example, make specific rules, and teach them to speak up when they feel unsafe, you’re doing everyone a favor.

Looking for affordable car insurance for your teen?  Freeway Insurance can help. Contact Freeway Insurance for a quote on affordable auto insurance today!