It’s completely normal to worry about your teen driver, and, as you’ll see from some of the statistics below, you have every reason to feel apprehensive! Luckily, there are also lots of ways you can keep your young driver safe behind the wheel, so read on to learn more about the ins and outs of teen driving.
Teens are more likely to be in an accident.
One set of statistics shows that although drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 make up only nine percent of driver’s license holders, they are involved in 21 percent of road accidents that result in injuries or death. So what’s a nervous parent to do? Since you probably control the car and the money they need to drive it, it’s up to you to set the rules. For example, you could stipulate that they can only drive with adult supervision until you’re comfortable with their skills, limit the amount of passengers in the car when they’re behind the wheel, or give them a curfew that limits nighttime driving.
Teens are more likely to drink and drive.
More bad news: young people are the largest group of drivers who die in crashes involving drugs and alcohol. Despite this scary statistic, only 11 percent of parents have discussed the risks of impaired driving with their teen. And apparently the kids aren’t listening, because only four percent of teens said they had discussed drinking and driving with their parents. This means that for most parents of teens, it’s time to start a conversation about impaired driving – and you’ll probably want to have it more than once to make sure they fully understand the issue.
Technology can improve your teen’s driving behaviour.
Finally, some good news! Some insurance companies offer Usage Based Insurance plans that ask drivers to install a telematics device that tracks their driving behaviour and reports it to their insurance company. In return, drivers get a discount on their insurance, especially if their data supports good driving behaviour. Most drivers who sign up for this kind of insurance plan experience improvements to their driving behaviour thanks to the real-time feedback. Even better news for parents of teens: young drivers showed some of the most improvement!
They’ll be safest in a mid-sized sedan or smaller SUV.
If you’re looking to buy a new car for the family, take your teen into consideration. Since teens are more likely to be in accidents, you’ll want a car with a high safety rating. Experts suggest that a mid-size sedan or small SUV is best, since heavier vehicles are safer than smaller cars. Cars that are too big can also pose a problem, since pick-ups and large SUVs are more likely to roll over.
They can save money on their car insurance with the right discounts.
Since teens are less experienced drivers and are more likely to be involved in an accident, their insurance rates are high. There are discounts available that can help lower their premium, for example, by completing a driver’s education course or demonstrating good grades in school. When adding your teen driver to your car insurance, take the opportunity to shop around and make sure you have the best plan for your family. You can quickly and easily compare quotes online before committing to a provider.
While some of these facts are sobering, hopefully you feel more prepared to handle your teen driver. It might involve setting some unpopular rules and having some uncomfortable conversations, but your teen will be safer and happier in the long run. And take comfort knowing they’ll understand your concern when they have a teen driver of their own.
