Coaching Your Teenage Driver

Research indicates that the greatest risk of auto accidents is among teenage drivers. The California Department of Motor Vehicles reports that the fatal crash rate for 16- to 19-year-olds is 2.7 times higher than for drivers of all ages. So here are some tips for parents to pass on to their sons and daughters who are now getting behind the wheel for the first time.

• Establish initial ground rules for the use of the car. These rules, perhaps in the form of a contract, should include restrictions on the number of friends in the car, circumscribed use of the radio, where and how the car may be used, and curfew times. Curtailment of the right to drive should be spelled out.
  
• Ban cell phone use. Parents should emphasize that the cell phone must be turned off and unavailable while the teen is driving.
  
• Prohibit drinking and driving. Parents should emphasize that there be no exceptions to this ironclad rule.
  
• Keep distractions to a minimum. This includes talking with friends, eating, and flipping the radio dial.
  
• Practice defensive driving. Techniques include maintaining a safe distance from cars ahead of the driver, closely monitoring traffic in adjacent lanes, and taking a defensive driving class.
  
• Follow the speed limit. Research indicates that high driving speed is a significant contributor to fatal teen accidents.
  
• Choose a safe auto for your teen. Autos with excellent crash safety records and the latest safety equipment, including air bags and electronic stability control, could reduce your teen's chances of being injured in an auto accident.
  
  
  Contact us for all your Insurance needs! (321)725-1620
  
  Bob Lancaster Insurance
  Serving Florida since 1964
  
  

July 4: The Deadliest Day On The Road

Independence Day is typically a time for barbecues, family gatherings, and celebrating the birth of our nation, however, for many travelers this holiday it may end in tragedy. According to research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), July 4 is now the deadliest day on the road for all Americans.

In the U.S., car crashes are the number one cause of death for everyone ages 1-34, with teens crashing four times more often than any other age group. Based on the latest available data, IIHS reports that more than 670 people were killed on July 4 from 2007-2011, which equates to an average of 134 deaths on that day each year.

Teens accounted for six percent of the driving fatalities on July 4, but continue to be particularly susceptible to distracted driving incidents. Recent research found that 75 percent of teens admit that they find reading and responding to texts distracting behind-the-wheel, which is up significantly from the 49 percent reported by teens in 2009.

Putting down the phone, never texting while driving and always wearing a safety belt can help make sure that everyone returns home safely after their Independence Day celebrations.  It's great to see that teens are evolving in their behavior and perceptions around texting, but research still found that 39 percent of teen drivers admit to texting behind the wheel and six percent say they do it a lot.  This demonstrates the need for programs that educate about the dangers of distracted driving.

• Teens are watching: 55 percent of teens reported seeing their parents using a phone while driving, up from 37 percent in 2009.
• Do as I say, not as I do: Interestingly, only 32 percent of parents admit to making and answering phone calls while driving.
• Teens feel comfortable speaking up: 87 percent of teens say they would speak up in a car with someone who was driving in a way that made them feel scared or uncomfortable, up from 59 percent in 2009.

We urge Americans to do their part to make roads safer for all families during the Independence Day holiday. Here are three simple ways that parents and teens can help to have a safe holiday:

• Talk together about driving early and often. Parents should discuss the risks and responsibilities of driving with your child at a young age, and keep talking with their teen before, during and after the licensing process.
• Don't rush the training process. Just because teens have a permit or license doesn't mean they are ready for every driving condition. By easing into the training process, both parents and teens will feel assured they are more prepared for a variety of driving situations.
• Never text or drive distracted. Parents should be positive role models when they're behind the wheel. All drivers can pledge not to text and drive, and help reduce distracted driving deaths and injuries.

Contact us for all your Insurance needs! (321)725-1620

Bob Lancaster Insurance

Serving Florida since 1964