We often get calls from Parents to add their Teenage Driver, who just got their driving permit or license, to their Auto Policy. It is a milestone of sorts that their child is now taking the first step towards their adult life. It is exciting for the child – who can’t wait to get behind the wheel and experience the freedom, at the same time I can sense the apprehension in the Parents voice. They know their Auto Policy rates will go up – just how much? What can they do to keep their Auto Policy rates low? What about their Teenager – will he/she be responsible on the road and not get hurt or hurt another person? Can they do anything to make the Auto Policy costs go down? Here is why it is dangerous;

• Drinking and driving A bad mix but much worse for Teenage Drivers. In 2008, 31 percent of the teen drivers who were killed in motor vehicle crashes had been drinking; 25 percent had a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher.*
• Speeding Teenagers’ crashes and violations are more likely to involve speeding than those of older drivers. In 2008, 37 percent of 15- to 20-year-old male drivers involved in fatal crashes were speeding.*
• Driving at night 50 percent of all teen deaths from motor vehicle crashes occurred between 3 p.m. and midnight.**
• Seat belts Teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use for all drivers; this rate becomes worse when there are other teens in the car.*
• No Texting or Calls while Driving’ the danger of text-messaging while driving right up there with drunken driving. Last year, a teenage driver talking on the phone hit a high school athlete who was out running and practicing for his cross country run. It was a tragedy that struck close to home as this young man was the grandson of a local school’s founder and well liked in the community.
• Passengers: Statistics show that 16- and 17-year-old driver death rates increase with each additional passenger.**
• Car and traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 20 years old per a AAA report.

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and National Center for Statistics and Analysis

**Insurance Institute for Highway Driving

Our next post – What can you do as a Parent when your Teenage Driver gets their license?