Car Insurance Rates Guide

Average Car Insurance Rates - 5 Driving Tips Every Parent Should Teach Their Teen (Part Two)

April 13th, 2007

This is post two of two in a series listing wise driving tips to pass on to your teenagers as they’re learning to drive.

Tip 3 - Always Buckle-Up
It is important that you teach your child the importance of wearing a seat belt. Yours truly was saved when I was young because I was wearing a seat belt during an accident. Almost all states require that you wear a seat belt, and failing to do so can not only be dangerous, it can lead to getting a ticket. Make sure that you teach your child by example, and stress that not only should they be buckled up, but all passengers should be buckled before the vehicle starts moving as well. In some states, by law the driver is responsible for the other passengers having their seat belts on when the car is moving.

Tip 4 - Never Drink and Drive
While teenage drinking is against the law, more than likely your teen is going to come in contact with it at some point. Make sure you let your teen know that drinking underage is a serious offense, and that drinking while driving can be deadly. Warn them against riding with other friends who may have been drinking as well. Even though alcohol is illegal for teens, there are many teen accidents that are a result of drinking and driving, so be sure to talk this over with your new teen driver.

Tip 5 - Follow the Speed Limit
Ignoring the speed limit causes many teenage car crashes. Be sure that you teach your child that the speed limit is more than a suggestion - it’s the law! Remind your child that getting a speeding ticket can raise their car insurance rates as well as the likelihood of them being in an accident as well. Having an accident will also raise car insurance rates as well. Teach your teen that no matter what their friend or other drivers are doing, it is important that they obey the speed limit. Incorporate consequences into getting a speeding ticket such as loss of driving privileges.