It’s an exciting moment when your teen obtains their driver’s license. It allows them to drive themselves to school and to hang out with friends. However, there’s a lot to consider before allowing them on the road. These tips will help prepare your teen to become a safe driver.
Picking Out the Right Vehicle
When it comes to choosing the right car for your teen, there are a lot of different factors to consider, the most obvious being a new or used car. However, there is much more to think about, including safety, size, reliability, and affordability. According to one website, new cars have better safety measures, but they can be more expensive than older cars. So, look for cheaper technology options such as a backup camera or parking sensors that can be added onto older cars to make them safer. Larger cars are also much safer to drive than smaller cars, as they can offer more protection if your teen is in a crash.
If you plan on purchasing an older car for your teen, look at how many owners have previously owned it and check its engine, tires, and service records. It’s also important to make sure that the car was taken care of well by the previous owner or owners to understand if the car will require maintenance or new parts, both of which can add up fast.
Insuring Your New Car
Once you pick the perfect car for your teen, it’s important for them to have insurance so if something bad does happen, they can be covered. Drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are three times more likely to get into a car crash, so their insurance will be more expensive than a more experienced driver. Gender and where you reside can also impact the cost of your car insurance. Adding your teen to your auto insurance policy can be the best way to help save some money while keeping them covered if you are a good and safe driver. If you are able to up your deductible, that can also help lower your premium. An additional way to save money is by asking your insurance if they have discounts for your teen’s good grades.
Remembering Regular Maintenance
Once your teen has a car and insurance to drive, teaching them regular maintenance skills will help them keep their new — or new-to-them — car going longer. Keeping up with what their car’s lights mean is a good first step as they can communicate what the car needs fixing. However, don’t overlook the check engine light, as the engine could freeze and you’d have to put a lot of money into making it go again. Changing the oil every 3,000 miles is a good way to keep the car going smoothly. There are also more important and useful tricks to know include learning how to change a tire — and keeping the tools in the car — and checking fluids and tire pressure.
Being Smart with Smartphones
Everyone is glued to their phones these days — parents and teens alike — so it is important to remember to not text and drive and be a safe driver. In 2015, phones caused 14 percent of fatal accidents per year according to one study. However, while using a phone can increase the chance of getting in a car crash, they can also be really helpful to use including the different map apps available and for emergency reasons. Phones like the Samsung Galaxy S10, in addition to sporting durable screens and water-resistant capabilities, has the Android Auto that has a car mode and locks the phone while the car is driving. iPhones also offer features and apps that can pair up with the car to ensure the phone is “locked” when the car is moving. Use a smartphone in the smartest way possible to ensure your teen is safe on the roads.
Although it’s important for teens to stay safe whenever they’re behind the wheel, a lot of that safety will ultimately fall on your shoulders. So, prepare your teens for the dangers — and pleasures — that the open road has to offer and make sure they have the coverage they need. Click for a quote on insurance today!
