Essential Tips for Protecting Your New Teen Driver
Few milestones bring more pride and more worry than watching your teenager pull out of the driveway alone for the first time. Read on to learn what you as a parent can do to help keep your family safe.
TL;DR: Set a no-phone rule before every drive, talk often about speed and following distance, limit passengers in the early months, choose a safe and sensible vehicle, and stay involved long after the license is earned. Most importantly, make sure your auto coverage is updated to reflect your new driver at home.
Set Clear Rules Before They Ever Start the Car
As a parent, one of the most impactful things you can do is establish a zero-tolerance rule for phone use while driving from the very beginning.
Work with your teen to set their phone to "Do Not Disturb"
Model the same behavior every time you're behind the wheel
Distracted driving leads to thousands of crashes every year, especially among younger drivers. Texting, scrolling, or even just glancing at a notification can be all it takes.
Teach Speed Management and Defensive Driving
Speed management isn't something teens figure out on their own. Young drivers between 16 and 20 are one of the most at-risk groups for car crashes, partly due to inexperience and a greater tendency toward risky behaviors like speeding.
To combat this, remember to:
Remind your teen regularly to keep at least three seconds of distance from the car ahead, more in bad weather
Encourage them to always leave a few minutes early so they never feel rushed to get somewhere on time
It is also worth noting that speeding tickets and traffic violations can directly impact your insurance rates. The Concannon Insurance Agency can help you find the right coverage that protects both you and your teen from higher rates down the road.
Limit the Number of Passengers
Even if your state's graduated license laws don't restrict passengers right away, you don't have to wait for the law to set your own family rules.
The risk of a fatal crash increases as the number of passengers in the car increases, and a carful of friends is one of the most distracting environments a new driver can be in.
Consider limiting your teen to zero or one passenger for the first several months, and make it a clear, non-negotiable expectation.
Choose a Safe and Sensible First Vehicle
The car you put your teen in is part of the safety equation. A new driver's first vehicle should weigh at least 2,750 pounds, and electronic stability control, required on most vehicles since 2012 is important, as it substantially reduces fatal crash risk from loss of vehicle control.
When shopping for a car, keep these guidelines in mind:
Steer away from sports cars or high-horsepower models that invite risk-taking
Look for vehicles with modern features like automatic emergency braking and blind spot detection that can compensate for inexperience, if financially feasible
Stay Involved Beyond the License Test
A passed road test is a starting line, not a finish line. Teens' risk of a car crash is highest immediately after getting their license and stays elevated for the first two to three years.
Stay involved by:
Riding along periodically
Debriefing after drives
Setting a formal family driving agreement that outlines your expectations around speed, curfews, passengers, and what to do in an emergency
The more engaged you stay, the safer your teen will be.
Protect Your Family with the Right Coverage
Safe habits go hand in hand with the right insurance. We've been helping families protect what matters most for over 122 years. When a new driver joins your household, your coverage needs change, and you deserve a policy that reflects that.
As a family business, Concannon Insurance Agency intimately understands how important it is to protect the people and things that matter most to you.
Contact our team today for a personal policy review and make sure your family is fully covered as your teen hits the road.
