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Seeing children grow and reach developmental milestones can be a rewarding experience for parents. But, some of those milestones, like helping your teen get a driver’s license or buying a car for your young driver, may come with some concerns and uncertainty. It helps to do some research to find the right car for your teen’s situation. These tips can help you get started with buying a car for your teen driver.
When choosing a car for your teen, vehicle size matters for a few reasons. For example, large, heavier cars may seem more difficult for a new driver to handle at first. But, bigger vehicles typically perform better in crash tests than their smaller counterparts, according to Consumer Reports. On the flip side, it’s important to consider that a larger vehicle usually allows for more passengers (which can be a potential driving distraction). While doing your research, it may be a good idea to check your state’s graduated driver licensing laws to understand how many passengers your teen may be allowed to have in their vehicle.
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Sports cars are one type of car that should be avoided for teens, says Consumer Reports, because they have a higher rate of accidents when compared to other types of vehicles. These types of vehicles can also have high horsepower, which may tempt your teen to test its limits, says the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Consider your teen’s abilities and maturity level, and your budget, when choosing which size vehicle may be right for them.
Safety is likely a top priority when it comes to a car for your teen. Newer cars generally offer more safety features and have better crash protection, says Consumer Reports, so you may want to take the age of a car into consideration when choosing a vehicle.
It’s also a good idea to check a vehicle’s safety ratings. In addition to the ratings supplied by car manufacturers, consider looking at results from a safety-research group. One example is the 5-star rating program that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) administers each year to determine how new vehicles perform in front, side and rollover crash testing. A 5-star rating indicates the safest cars. In 2010, NHTSA also began assigning an overall vehicle score to tested cars along with a list of their included safety technologies, which may be helpful when comparing newer vehicles.
Some newer cars also include advanced safety features. Forward-collision warning, for example, provides drivers with visual or audio warnings when another car or object is in its path, says Consumer Reports. New vehicles may also include automatic emergency braking or a blind spot warning system, which can help drivers avoid an accident by alerting them of vehicles in their blind spot.
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Costs related to routine maintenance can vary from vehicle to vehicle. Consider expenses such as the price of oil changes, parts and tires. If you buy a luxury car for your teen, for example, it may cost more to fix when something goes wrong, says AutoTrader. This is because many luxury cars have higher-end gadgets and use specialized parts, making maintenance more expensive than an average car. Or, you may want to consider that larger cars can cost more to fuel up since they typically have a lower fuel economy when compared to smaller cars, says Consumer Reports.
After finding a potential car for your teen, you may also want to speak with an insurance agent to estimate the insurance costs so you know what to expect.
No matter which vehicle you choose for your teen, combining a reliable car with a responsible driver can help maximize the safety of your teen and their passengers. Remember these tips when researching vehicles so you can choose a car that meets your priorities and is appropriate for your teen.
The post Choosing the Right Vehicle for Your Young Driver appeared first on The Allstate Blog.
Getting a driver’s license is a rite of passage for many teenagers. While teen drivers may enjoy the newfound freedom, they are at an increased risk on the road. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) states that 16- and 17-year-old drivers are three times more likely to get into a car accident than drivers over the age of 20. The explanation for this is simply that younger drivers lack experience and may overestimate their abilities on the road, says the IIHS.
To help reduce the number of teen driving accidents, every state and the District of Columbia now have graduated driver licensing laws to help teens get more experience behind the wheel before they’re fully licensed, says the Insurance Information Institute (III).
A graduated driver licensing (GDL) program limits high-risk driving situations for teens, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These programs been shown to reduce teen accidents by up to 50 percent, says the NHTSA.
While the restrictions may vary from state to state, all GDL programs have three phases, according to the III:
No cellphone or electronic devices can be used during the first two phases of a GDL program, according to the GHSA.
Parents and guardians can play an important role in helping a young driver establish good habits and get plenty of practice behind the wheel. The NHTSA recommends:
Setting teen drivers up for success behind the wheel is key in helping them stay safe on the road. With graduated driving license programs and plenty of practice, teens can gain the experience that will help make them better drivers.
The post Keeping Teens Safe With Graduated Driver Licensing appeared first on The Allstate Blog.
Your teen may think they’re ready to hit the road on their own, but you know it’s your responsibility to make sure they understand the importance of safe driving before they go solo. After months of driving lessons, you may still be wondering if they’re ready — even after they’ve passed their driver’s test. Here are some tips to help ensure your teen is ready to conquer the road alone.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a graduated driver licensing (GDL) program is a three-step approach that restricts potential high-risk driving situations for teens — and all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia have adopted a GDL program. As your teen moves through the phases of your state’s program, they’ll continue to learn and earn their right to full driving privileges. Here are the three GDL phases, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III):
You may want to check your state’s individual GDL program laws as requirements vary by state.
Don’t wait until your teen is driving and ready to get their license before emphasizing the importance of safe driving behaviors. The NHTSA says you should start this conversation before they even reach your state’s legal driving age. Talk to your teen about safe driving habits and rules of the road, such as wearing their seat belt and following the speed limit at all times. Parents should also focus on setting a good example for their children when it comes to safe driving behavior, says the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. While your child is in the car with you, practice the rules and habits you share with them so they can see your advice in action — the NHTSA states that children typically learn the most by watching their parents.
Whether they’re doing the driving or simply along for the ride, teens should commit to following the rules of the road in order to keep everyone in the vehicle safe. Once you’ve talked with your teen about safe driving behaviors, consider putting some rules in writing. You could think of it as a contract your teen signs that has consequences if any rules are broken. For example, if your state doesn’t limit the number of passengers your teen can have in the car, you could consider enforcing your own rule, says the NHTSA. If they break that rule, you could revoke family car use privileges for a period of time. It might not hurt to enforce rules stating that your child must follow your state’s laws, either.
Distracted driving has become a large topic of discussion within the last few years. Many states have passed laws against distracted driving, including using your cellphone while on the road, says the III, but it can be especially tempting for teens to change the radio, eat or use their phone when behind the wheel. When talking to your teen about safe driving, consider discussing the importance of resisting common distractions when driving. You could even consider implementing a rule such as “no cellphone use while driving” in your safe driving contract.
Many parents would probably agree that they experience some anxiety as their teen pulls out of the driveway on their own for the first time. But, by teaching your kids safe driving habits early on, you can help ensure that they are ready to get behind the wheel alone.
Originally published on January 2, 2012.
The post 4 Tips to Prepare Your Teen to Drive Solo appeared first on The Allstate Blog.
If your teen has a permit and is working toward getting a driver’s license, you’ll likely need to spend some time teaching her how to drive. Many states require teens with learner’s permits to log a certain number of supervised driving hours outside of driver’s education, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association, and that often means parents play the role of driving instructor.
Before you start teaching your teen to drive, it’s a good idea to brush up on your state’s requirements and prepare yourself to be a good teacher. Here are some things to consider when teaching your teen to drive.
Before each lesson, choose a location and decide what skills your teen will practice, suggests KidsHealth.org. For instance, you may want to find an empty parking lot where your teen can practice braking or turns. This may also be a good place to practice using anti-lock brakes if the pavement is wet. Allowing your teen to practice in lower risk areas may help prepare her for future experiences on main roads.
Remind your teen to constantly be on the watch for potential obstacles, such as other drivers, bicycles and pedestrians, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Stress the importance of avoiding distractions by not using phones or eating while driving, too.
It’s also important to practice safe driving habits yourself, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says. In addition to helping yourself stay safe on the road, it’s a good idea to model good driving behavior for your teen when you’re the one behind the wheel.
When your teen makes a mistake, use it as a teaching opportunity, KidsHealth.org suggests. Instruct your child to safely pull the car over, and then discuss what happened and how to prevent the mistake from happening again.
Rather than get upset at your teen driver, try making comments that help make her more aware of a mistake, the FamilyEducation.com says. For example, you might ask your teen what the speed limit is instead of expressing fear that she’ll be ticketed for speeding. In addition, be sure to praise your teen when you notice improvements.
In addition to reviewing your state’s laws for teens learning to drive and reminding your teen of general laws, like your state’s seat belt requirements, you may want to establish additional rules, the NHTSA suggests. For instance, if your state does not restrict the number of passengers that can ride with a teen driver, you may want to establish your own rule. Clearly communicate any requirements you set with your teen and make sure they understand the consequences of breaking them, the NHTSA says. Consider putting your expectations for your teen in writing.
It takes a lot of practice for a teen to become a safe driver. By patiently coaching your child and providing consistent feedback, you can help your teen gain experience and become a better driver.
Originally published on June 23, 2009.
The post Tips for Teaching Your Teen Driver appeared first on The Allstate Blog.
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