Coaching Your Teenage Driver

March 13, 2015||inPersonal Insurance|auto insurance, driving safety, personal insurance, teenage drivers

Getting Your License is a Right of Passage for Teenagers

It’s a symbol of growing up and having more freedom, but it also comes with more responsibility. Most teenagers seem to have a feeling of invincibility, which is great, but it needs to be tempered with an increased sense of responsibility, especially behind the wheel. That’s where parents come in.

Coaching Your Teenage Driver
Click here to submit an inquiry to Murphy Insurance or call us at 800 222 8711

There can be Lots of Mixed Emotions for Parents

You celebrate your child achieving a milestone, yet you may worry about the risks. Accidents happen even to experienced drivers, but research indicates that the greatest risk of auto accidents is among teenage drivers. The California Department of Motor Vehicles reports that the fatal crash rate for 16- to 19-year-olds is 2.7 times higher than for drivers of all ages. So, there is a justification for parents’ concerns. Yet, we all went through the same thing when we got our licenses.

The challenge is to find the right balance between setting driving safety rules and guidelines to help your teenager gain experience without nagging that could cause them to tune out.   The best way to teach a teenager good driving habits is for parents to demonstrate them consistently before the teenager gets his/her license. But, it’s also good to pass along dos and don’ts through a formal coaching discussion every now and then.

Below are some tips from the International Risk Management Institute for parents to pass on to their sons and daughters who are now getting behind the wheel for the first time.

Tips for Teenage Driving Safety

  1. Establish initial ground rules for the use of the car. These rules, perhaps in the form of a contract, should include restrictions on the number of friends in the car, circumscribed radio use, where and how the car may be used, and curfew times. Curtailment of the right to drive should be spelled out.
  2. Ban cell phone use. Parents should emphasize that cell phones must be turned off and unavailable while the teen is driving. (It’s the law in Massachusetts and other states, but just because it’s the law doesn’t mean it won’t happen, so reinforce the ban.)
  3. Prohibit drinking and driving. Parents should emphasize that there are no exceptions to this ironclad rule.
  4. Keep distractions to a minimum. This includes talking with friends, eating, and playing with the radio/audio system.
  5. Practice defensive driving. Techniques include maintaining a safe distance from cars ahead of the driver, closely monitoring traffic in adjacent lanes, and taking a defensive driving class.
  6. Follow the speed limit. Research indicates that high driving speed is a significant contributor to fatal teen accidents.
  7. Choose a safe auto for your teen. Autos with excellent crash safety records and the latest safety equipment, including airbags and electronic stability control, could reduce your teen’s chances of being injured in an auto accident.

Copyright 2015  International Risk Management Institute, Inc.

Read Other Blog Posts

Apartment living room

Keep Your Home Safe While on Vacation

Taking a trip and exploring the world is fun, but leaving your home unoccupied has some risks.  Before departing, protect your property from accidents and criminals by considering the following precautions.
Read more
Male teen driver

5 Tips for Adding a Teen to Your Auto Policy

If your teen is approaching driving age, it may be time to start thinking about your plan for adding them to your auto insurance policy. Here are five tips to consider when adding a teen to your auto insurance policy.
Read more
Night driving

Understanding the Risks of Speeding

According to NHTSA data, speeding kills more than 12,000 people behind the wheel each year, contributing to nearly one-third (29%) of all traffic fatalities. With this in mind, it’s important to understand what causes speeding and how to prevent it.
Read more
Mold

Keeping Mold Out of Your Home

Mold not only damages your property, but it can also cause serious health complications after long-term exposure. With this in mind, try these prevention tips to keep mold out of your home.
Read more
Burglary

Tips for Preventing Home Burglaries

As a homeowner, you must protect your property from various risks, such as burglaries. To limit your chances of becoming the victim of a home burglary, consider the following steps for daily life.
Read more
Ensuring Peace of Mind: The Importance of Wedding Insurance

Ensuring Peace of Mind: The Importance of Wedding Insurance

Protect your big day with wedding insurance coverage. Whether safeguarding your attire, ensuring vendor reliability, or providing peace of mind against unexpected mishaps, we've got you covered so you can focus on making memories that last a lifetime.
Read more
Spring Cleaning for your Insurance

Spring Cleaning for your Insurance

As you tackle spring cleaning tasks, consider reviewing your insurance policies for any necessary updates. Ensuring your coverage is current and aligned with your needs offers peace of mind as you welcome the warmer seasons ahead.
Read more
Mistakes to Avoid when Applying for Auto Insurance

Mistakes to Avoid when Applying for Auto Insurance

Overlooking errors on your auto insurance application can result in significant consequences. Providing inaccurate information may lead to higher premiums, policy cancellations, or inadequate coverage during accidents.
Read more

Visit Our Auto Insurance Page

Auto Insurance

At Murphy Insurance, we are here to assist you in obtaining the appropriate auto insurance. Choosing the appropriate auto insurance coverage can be overwhelming. Every insurance company has its unique offerings, making it challenging to compare options effectively. That’s where we shine. We simplify the process by helping you evaluate provider and policy choices, seek out discounts, and optimize your car insurance within your budget constraints. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with peace of mind, knowing that you and your loved ones are well-protected. Visit our auto insurance page to learn more.