Celebrate Teen Driving Awareness Month

Securing a driver’s license marks a key milestone in a teenager's life, symbolizing newfound freedom and accountability. For parents, it’s a blend of excitement and anxiety as they witness their teen’s inaugural trip alone. January's Teen Driving Awareness Month offers the perfect pause to celebrate and emphasize traffic safety—and the importance of having the right insurance coverage.

Understanding Teen Driving Risks

Even as overall crash statistics improve, teens remain particularly vulnerable on the roads. In 2021, young drivers under 20 were involved in 12.6% of all crashes despite comprising just 5.1% of licensed drivers. The mix of inexperience, distraction, and overconfidence is a hazardous cocktail in those early driving months. Nighttime driving further amplifies the risks, with low visibility and fatigued drivers adding to the challenge for teens learning to handle pressure.

Essential Habits for Teen Drivers

Many typical teen driving mistakes can be curbed with a few steadfast habits:

• Ignore the Phone: Distracted driving is a top teen safety threat. Even brief glimpses at texts or social media can result in serious accidents. Encourage teens to use “Do Not Disturb” settings on their phones or store them in the glove box until safely parked.
• Buckle Up Always: Teen seat belt use is consistently lower than that of adults, though wearing one cuts severe accident risks by half. Make it an uncompromising rule for every trip, no matter the distance.
• Speed Control and Spacing: Speeding and tailgating are common newbie mistakes. Remind teens that safe arrival is the priority, not speed. Ample spacing provides critical reaction time.
• Limitations and Boundaries: Set clearly defined limits on night driving and the number of passengers until they grow more skilled. Fewer distractions keep them concentrated and attentive.

Insurance Considerations When Teens Drive

As your teen graduates to licensed driver status, reassess your auto insurance. Typically, adding them to your existing policy is cost-effective, but ensure coverage aligns with family needs.

• Higher Liability Limits: Covers medical and property costs if your teen causes an accident.
• Collision Coverage: Pays for fixing your car post-collision.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Protects against non-collision incidents like theft or weather damage.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Offers security if other drivers lack sufficient insurance.

Your insurance agent can guide you through the options for balancing adequate protection with affordability. It’s also an opportune moment to explore discounts for good student performance, driver education courses, or safety-featured vehicles.

Celebrate and Prepare this January

Teen Driving Awareness Month in January isn’t just for awareness—it’s a chance to acknowledge your teen’s progress and equip them for the future. Through encouragement, ongoing dialogue, and suitable insurance, you can help your teen develop confidence and lasting safe driving habits. If you need to review your auto insurance or want to explore options for including your teen, contact us today to enjoy this thrilling milestone with peace of mind.