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3 Essential Driving Safety Steps Every Teenager Should Know

If your teenager is getting ready to hit the road, you may be feeling a little anxious. Being concerned about your child controlling a machine that weighs two tons or more, while other folks are controlling similar machines, actually makes perfect sense. Driving is an action we take for granted because we do it so often, but when your child is ready to drive for the very first time, you can’t take preparing them properly for granted. Paying attention to essential car and road safety tips, like using tech properly and finding the right car insurance policy, could just be a lifesaving decision for your teen driver.

 

Talk to Teen Drivers About Safe and Dangerous Driving Habits

 

Distracted driving is an issue for everyone on the road but it causes the most problems for teenagers. Over half of all accidents involving teenagers are caused by distracted driving, and driving while distracted by cell phones and other activities account for 25% of all highway fatalities. Teaching your teenager about these serious statistics is essential for keeping him/her safe behind the wheel, but it’s also important to talk about how cell phones can be useful while driving. With the right smartphone, like Samsung’s Galaxy S10 phones, your teen driver will have access to long battery life and apps that can provide added safety and convenience. Plus, Android phones come equipped with Android Auto, a feature that locks screens while driving while keeping vital applications/functions easily accessible. Apple’s latest iPhones offer the same helpful apps while also providing the same safe driving modes, so your teen stays focused on the road.

 

Research Insurance Plans to Find the Best Teen Driver Rates

 

Paying monthly insurance bills can be a real pain for parents with teen drivers. Since drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are much more likely to be involved in a car accident than other drivers, you can expect to pay more for your insurance premiums after your child is added to the policy. Other factors that contribute to your auto insurance costs include where you live, as well as the gender of any drivers covered by your plan. While having a teen driver can come with added insurance costs for you, there may be discounts you can use to lower your insurance premiums each month. For example, many insurance companies offer discounts to teens who make good grades or complete driver safety courses. Certain car features can help land you discounts on your auto insurance policy as well, including safety features like anti-lock brakes and airbags. So keep these incentives in mind when choosing a vehicle for your teenager to drive, and consider avoiding cars that may be too difficult for inexperienced drivers.

 

Encourage Teen Drivers to Take Responsibility for Auto Maintenance

 

Proper maintenance can be just as important as safe driving habits when it comes to protecting teen drivers from dangerous accidents. Checking things like tire wear and fluid levels on a regular basis is a simple way to prevent roadside emergencies and maintenance-related crashes, but don’t just take care of these crucial tasks for your teen. Instead, make these car maintenance needs part of your overall driving lessons. Make sure that your young driver knows how often to check maintenance tasks off the list, and what to look for when it comes to spotting major mechanical problems. Beginning drivers should also know how to handle emergencies if they do come up on the road. Often, accidents are caused when inexperienced drivers fail to properly respond to a blown-out tire or brake failure, so make these scenarios part of the learning process. Also keep an emergency car kit in your teen’s vehicle, complete with flares, cones, and first aid supplies, so your child will be prepared no matter what happens on the road.

 

Don’t let your teen get behind the wheel without being prepared. Go over the safety steps above and make sure your child is ready for the responsibilities that come with driving a car. These simple steps could save your child’s life and other drivers on the road at the same time.