AUTO INSURANCE ARTICLE
Should your teen have their own car or use the family car as a new driver?
By: mindifNew teen drivers are statistically most at risk to cause a crash in their first year of driving. They are even more at risk according to certain statistics if they have their own car as opposed to using the family car. It is extremely important parents set clear rules and guidelines for their teen drivers.
Traffic crashes are one of the highest causes of death for teens in the United States. These are some of the grim figures related to auto crashes from new teen drivers:
a) More than 5,000 teen deaths a year
b) More than 7,000 other related deaths
c) More than 275,000 teens injured
Most teens experience a sense of freedom when they get their drivers license. It is a rite of passage. They view themselves as an adult and feel they can make their own rules. A lot of parents don’t set strict guidelines down and this is a mistake. It is important that new teen drivers understand the serious consequences of driving recklessly, not obeying traffic laws & speed limits and driving under the influence.
Parents need to take a more hands on approach in order to teach their children the responsibility of obtaining a drivers license. It is not a right but a privilege. Even though this is a step towards independence and adulthood parents must be responsible when it comes to their 16 or 17 year old becoming a driver.
More kids have their own cars today then ever. Parents are purchasing them as gifts and some teens have jobs and are paying for them themselves. These teens have a 15 % greater risk in causing an accident. It may be they feel more freedom and are not having to ask for access to the car. If they do cause damage it is to their car.
Teens that had to ask for the keys to use the family or shared car were far less likely to cause crashes and have better driving habits. When teens are held accountable by their parents by telling them where they are going and when they will be home it makes them more responsible as well and aware of their driving habits. They follow their parent’s example. They are less like likely to drink while driving or use their cell phone while driving as well. If parents will set simple rules for their teens as to when they can drive and where it will make them more responsible drivers. Teens are leading into adulthood but they still need guidance.