The Teen Driving Problem
Did you know that crashes involving teen drivers cost over $34 billion in 2006? A shocking $9.8 billion of this figure was related to fatal car crashes. And these figures don’t even account for the inestimable emotional losses caused by injury and death. To any parent with a teen driver, these numbers should come as no surprise, as the cost of insuring a teen driver is prohibitive. The incentive to make your teen a safer driver goes beyond premium discounts; it can also save his or her life. Motor vehicle accidents remain the number one cause of death for U.S. teens. In this post, we’ll discuss various ways you can help make your teen safer out on the road with education and preparation.
Driver Training Tours
Driver touring schools have become an increasingly popular option to improve the driving skills of teens. Once such program, Tire Rack Street Survival, visits 50 cities through November 15. The program teaches licensed teens ages 16-21 to become more aware of various traffic situations and to anticipate other drivers’ actions. Participants complete driving maneuvers in a controlled environment with the supervision of a trained driving coach. A similar driving school, called Driver’s Edge, is a free program that combines classroom education with behind-the-wheel training. The program runs through October 19, and parents are encouraged to attend as well.
Insurance Company Efforts
Auto insurance companies have also taken significant steps to make driving safer for teens. For instance, State Farm offers the Steer Clear program, which requires drivers under 19 to sign a contract with their parents and drivers over 19 to sign a safe-driving pledge. All participants under the age of 24 must record their driving experiences, complete self-assessments, and watch an instructional DVD. Fulfilling these obligations results in a 15% premium discount. Other insurance companies have similar educational programs and are also active in promoting graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs that require teens to pass through three stages of licensing: a supervised learner’s permit, an intermediate license that prohibits driving in certain situations without supervision, and a license with full privileges.
Preparing Your Teen
Parents can take certain steps that have been proven effective in preventing teen car crashes. First, always know when and where your teen is driving. Car trips with no destination or purpose often end in disaster. Secondly, don’t assume that a one-day training program or instructional DVD will change your teen’s driving habits for good. In reality, it takes consistent conversations about driving with your teen coupled with supervised driving for at least a year.
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