The third week of October is National Teen Driver Safety Week. Teen driving injuries and deaths are a tragic reality in Florida and nationwide. Parents are a big part of the solution and should help their teen after he or she finishes the driver’s education course. Moms, dads, and even older siblings can ride along with the teen to help them make smart decisions. Studies show that teens living in households with driving rules and supportive parents to help them correct driving mistakes are less likely to get into an accident.
“The first six months after getting your license are the most important,” said Vincent Payne of AGIC Insurance, Inc. “Getting adequate insurance and having your parents ride along in different road conditions will help you feel more comfortable and approach situations proactively.”
The top three driving errors that teens make are: not knowing how to detect or react to hazards; speeding around curves and merging too quickly on highways; and, being distracted. Distractions include texting, talking on a cell phone, changing dashboard controls, paying attention to friends riding along, and grooming. By grade 11 in high school, four out of five teens drives a car during the week a minimum of two hours.
“Driving for school, work, or errands can be a great way for a teen to learn how to drive safely,” said Payne. “Parents also need to be good role models – a parent must wear their seatbelt, don’t drink and drive, and stay focused on driving if they want their teen to follow their lead.”
Adding a teen to a parent’s Florida auto insurance policy is a great reminder to sit down and talk with them about how accidents and driving violations can increase an insurance premium. Speak to a qualified Florida car insurance agent to ensure the policy has enough coverage for bodily injury, property damage, and uninsured motorists. AGIC helps parents and teens find the best Florida auto insurance quote that has reasonable deductibles.
Melissa DeAngelo is with Florida auto insurance company and Florida car insurance company, AGIC. To get a quote or learn more visit www.agicinsurance.com.
