Watch out world, your teen just got their license and is ready to hit the streets. Being a new teen driver is exciting, emotional and exhilarating, but being the parent of a new teen driver is… stressful, to say the least. Your child is getting behind the wheel for the first time and a million things are running through your mind. Will they remember everything I taught them about being a safe driver? Can I trust other drivers on the road? How can I protect them? The list goes on.
Luckily, there are ways you can ready your household for this exciting new journey in your teen’s life. Learn how you can prepare yourself and your family to handle all that’s involved in having a new driver in the house.
1. A Good Teacher
It’s no surprise that the risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among teens than among any other age group. They’re brand-new drivers with countless distractions tempting them, like talking or texting on their phones, eating or applying makeup. Having a designated family member or hiring a paid driving instructor can help teens practice good habits before hitting the road alone. Although a driving instructor may be pricey, it’s an investment worth making for the safety of your teen. Driving lessons can help teens gain more confidence while driving and learn defensive driving strategies that could help reduce the risk of an accident in the future.
2. A Safe Car
Deciding on which car your teen will drive for the next couple of years is always a difficult choice, but it’s a crucial part of their new journey. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there are four main principles to follow when it comes to your new teen driver’s car:
- Stay away from high-horsepower vehicles, as they can tempt fast or reckless driving
- Choose bigger, heavier cars since they protect better in a crash compared to mini or small cars
- Electronic stability control is essential and will help your teen maintain control and significantly reduce risk on the road
- The higher the safety rating, the better (4 or 5 stars from the NHTSA is preferred)
A safe car doesn’t have to be expensive or brand new, it just has to be reliable. Keep these four principles in mind when choosing the best car for your teen.
3. Reliable Auto Insurance
Although you can do everything in your power to ensure your teen has the tools they need to drive safely, you can’t control other drivers or conditions out on the road. That’s why it’s crucial to protect your teen and their car with dependable auto insurance. When it comes to teens, insurance premiums are often pretty pricey, but companies like USAA offer affordable car insurance for your entire family. Protect yourself and your family with collision coverage for your vehicles, liability coverage for at-fault incidences, personal injury protection, roadside assistance, accident forgiveness and more. Having a comprehensive auto insurance plan from USAA will give you peace of mind and protection for your new teen driver.
Becoming a new driver is one of many important milestones in your teen’s life, but it doesn’t have to be scary or expensive. Keep these three tips in mind when sending off your new teenage driver.
