When your teen starts driving, it’s not uncommon to have mixed feelings. On the one hand, you are excited because driving is a significant life milestone. However, you don’t want your child to have an accident on the road. Below are a few strategies to ensure your teen driver stays safe and avoids severe car insurance increases.

How to Keep Your Teen Driver Safe

1. Provide a Reliable Vehicle

Consider giving your teen a large, sturdy vehicle rather than a small car with a high crash rating or an SUV that can rollover. If you’re buying a new or used vehicle, review each model’s safety rating, including what features it includes to help your teen stay safe. Many modern cars have a backup camera, blind-spot indicators, and anti-lock braking systems to improve safety. 

2. Discuss Distracted Driving Statistics

Have a serious conversation with your teen about drunk and distracted driving. Review statistics to emphasize your points, such as the 2,841 people killed in 2018 because of distracted driving or the fact that 30 people perish in the United States every day due to drunk driving. You should limit nighttime driving and the number of passengers they can have in their vehicle until you feel confident in their abilities behind the wheel.

3. Use Apps to Monitor Them

Consider monitoring your teen’s driving with an app that sends you notifications when your teen arrives at their destination or provides reports detailing when they speed and use the phone. If your teen does not like you tracking them, use the apps as a compromise: once they prove their safe driving abilities, you will remove the links.

4. Lead by Example

Show your teen the importance of driver safety by demonstrating what safe driving looks like. Put your phone or other portable devices on silent before you start your car, always check your blind spot before changing lanes, adhere to speed limits, follow traffic lights, and never drive after drinking alcohol. Focus on the road at all times, so your teen follows the example. 

If you have a teen driver and need car insurance quotes for their vehicle, contact Cundiff & Company Insurance. This independent agency has been protecting their clients’ worlds for over 40 years. Based in Somerset, KY, the insurance company specializes in home, motorcycle, truck, and car insurance. Call (606) 679-8379 today for a free quote. Learn more about insurance services online.