When your teen gets their driver’s license, they’ll be able to drive themselves to school and run errands. It also means they’re at risk of getting into an accident due to their inexperience behind the wheel. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to protect your kids’ safety — and even save some money on their auto insurance. Here are five tips to share with the newest driver in your family.

5 Safety Tips for Teen Drivers

1. Make Sure They Understand the Risks

Auto accidents are the leading cause of death for American teenagers. Many of these accidents can be traced to relatively simple — and avoidable — mistakes. Before your teen gets their driver’s license, sit down with them and be sure they understand the potential consequences of not paying attention to the road.

2. Make Rules About Driving

Most teen accidents happen at night, so set strict limits on driving until they have a few years of experience. Make sure they follow Pennsylvania’s 11 a.m. curfew for younger drivers. Because teens tend to take more risks when their peers are in the car, you may also want to set rules about how many friends they’re allowed to drive at once.

3. Sign Them Up for a Safe Driving Course

Having a driver’s license often gives teens a false sense of confidence, which can cause them to make serious mistakes. A safe driving course will give them the skills to avoid ticket tickets or serious accidents. It may also earn you a discount on their auto insurance.

4. Give Them Extra Practice

Experience is the best defense against teen driving accidents, so make time for supervised driving even after they get their license. Having your teen drive the family to a restaurant on the weekend will also give you a chance to monitor their performance and offer additional tips.

5. Don’t Tolerate Drinking & Driving

Alcohol is a factor in an enormous portion of teen driving accidents, so enact a strict no-tolerance policy as soon as they start driving. Make sure they understand that even if they’re not arrested, drinking and driving poses a deadly risk for themselves, their passengers, and anyone else they encounter on the road.

Since 1992, the experienced agents at Quinn Agency, LLC have helped drivers throughout Meadville, PA get the auto insurance they need at affordable rates. As an independent agency, they write policies for a broad range of leading carriers, and they’ll shop around to find the best deal for your family. Visit their website for a look at their auto insurance policies, or call (814) 337-2766 to request a free quote.