Car Insurance Rates Guide

Average Car Insurance Rates - 5 Driving Tips Every Parent Should Teach Their Teen

April 12th, 2007

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

Studies show that vehicle accidents rank as the number one cause of death in teenagers. It is important that parents start taking measures to change this to avoid having their teen end up as one of these tragic statistics. Before you allow your teenager to start driving, you as a parent need to start teaching them important driving lessons that will keep them safe. Taking the time to teach your child important driving tips and how to be responsible and considerate behind the wheel can help your teen avoid accidents, tickets, high car insurance rates, and it can even save lives.

Tip 1 - Defensive Driving
One of the reasons that teens have so many accidents is because they take risks when they’re driving. It is important that you teach your teen to drive defensively and to always try to anticipate what other drivers are going to do. It is also important that they learn to keep their emotions in check. Teaching your child to avoid tailgating, use turn signals, drive for weather conditions, and to beware of erratic drivers can help keep them safe when on the road.

Tip 2 - Avoid Distractions While Driving
Another important tip that you need to teach your teenage driver is to try and limit unnecessary distractions when driving. Simple things like telling them to avoid eating while driving, pulling over to take a mobile phone call, not putting their makeup on when driving, not having the music cranked up too high so they can hear sirens, and limiting the passengers allowed in the car can help keep your teen safer.