Known as the 100 deadliest days of driving, the time from Memorial Day to Labor Day claims the lives of an average of 260 teens per month.
In the last five years more than 1,600 people died during this time as the result of crashes with inexperienced teen drivers. Driving during the summer is often unavoidable. However, there are ways teens can lower their risk of having an accident.
Add Roadside Assistance to Your Auto Insurance
While not an obvious solution, roadside assistance coverage may save your teen's life. This is true especially if they frequently travel on busy roads.
The ability to call a tow truck or mechanic in the event of a mishap allows your teen to remain in the car instead of attempting to fix the problem on the freeway.
Avoid Distractions
Distracted driving accounts for nearly 60 percent of all accidents involving teenagers. While texting or talking on the phone is the most frequently discussed, it is not the only one.
Fatal crashes are more likely to occur when teen drivers have passengers in the car. In fact, teen drivers are responsible for more than half of all teen passenger deaths. Some states have banned teen drivers from carrying passengers until they are more experienced. However, parents should consider limiting their child's ability to carry teen passengers.
Slow Down
Nearly a third of all fatal teen crashes involve excessive speed. Instructors note speeding is one of the most common mistakes teens make when learning to drive. Talk to your teen about the speed limit. Create an agreement to follow it and set an example by abiding by all posted speed limit signs.
Buckle Up
Sixty percent of teen drivers and passengers killed in crashes in 2015 were not wearing seatbelts. Seatbelts are basic safety measures. Talk to your teen driver about the importance of buckling up every time they are in a car.
Get Insurance
Whether on the road for work or recreation, your teen driver should carry appropriate auto insurance. Summer is the ideal time to review your car insurance and ensure your teen is carrying appropriate levels of liability, collision, medical expense, and roadside assistance coverage.
Not only will you gain piece of mind, it will open the door for a conversation regarding driving habits and ways they can stay safe during this particularly dangerous time.
We've got you covered. JSW Insurance can help you get the auto insurance your teen driver needs. Call us at 925.737.1560 for more information on Oakland auto insurance.