4 Ways to Keep Young Drivers Safe

4 Ways to Keep Young Drivers Safe  

Children are one of the many joys of life. The moments you have with your children are priceless, so keeping them safe is a top priority to you. With nearly 33,000 driving fatalities occurring within the United States in 2013, it’s important that you ensure that your teen understands the importance of driving safe. The following are a few ways you can keep your young driver safe on the road.

Never Let Them Drive Alone with Other Teens

Distractions are one of the leading causes of accidents. Teens can be easily distracted by other teens talking in the car with them. As a result, they lose focus while they are behind the wheel and get into an accident. If your young driver must drive with other young passengers, it’s important that they have adult supervision at all times.

Purchase a Safe Car

Advances in technology have created more than fuel efficient cars — they are safer, too. Nowadays, cars can park without driver input and warn the driver if they are too close to another object. Cars with enhanced safety features are a great investment when it comes to ensuring your child’s safety on the road. Although these cars may cost a little more, they help you have peace of mind while your child is driving around town.  Mandate safety belt usage. Did you know that teens have the lowest seat belt use of all drivers?

Teach Young Drivers How to Drive Safely

Driving requires drivers to always be alert while they are behind the wheel.  Here are several measures to take to help young drivers avoid wrecks:  For example, no drinking and driving.   Place the cell phone in the back seat or trunk to prevent temptation to text or answer a call.  Some mobile-phone companies have apps that block calls and texts while driving.  Enroll your teen in a Behind the Wheel driving course.   Perhaps enforce curfews to limit nighttime driving.   Did you know about 44% of all fatal crashes occur between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am?  When you teach your child how to drive safely, you increase the chances that they will return home safely.  Remember to model what you teach.

Use a Parent-Teen Driving Contract. 

A good one is available at:  Centers for Disease and Control Prevention Agreement

We encourage parents to take a pro-active interest in helping their teens understand the seriousness of driving a motor vehicle and the responsibility they have to drive safely.   Encourage them to maintain a 3.0 or greater GPA as well, as most companies offer discounts for good students.

If you would like more information on protecting your teen driver, please contact our office.  Many of our companies have pamphlets on Teen Driver Safety we would be happy to share with you.