Car crashes are the leading cause of death for young people.  If you have a teenager who is getting a driver’s license, it’s a scary time for you, no doubt.  You want to protect your child and keep her safe, but she is feeling the pull of independence that her driver’s license can give her.

Here are some guidelines and considerations to help keep your new teen driver safe:

1. Make sure your teen driver practices driving a lot.  There is no substitute for experience, and inexperience is one of the leading causes of teen car crashes.
2. Know the risks your teen faces.  Besides inexperience, the next biggest risks are driving with other teens in the car, distractions (such as cell phones) and nighttime driving.  Research shows that increasing practice time, limiting the number of people in your teen’s vehicle, and restricting distractions and nighttime driving will all help to keep your teen safe.
3. Set clear rules and stick to them.  Make sure that your teen wears a safety belt at all times.  Set firm consequences if you discover that your teen is driving recklessly.  Don’t worry about being too strict.  A lot is at stake.
4. Add your teenage driver to your automobile insurance policy.  Your rates will surely increase, but if you do not list your teen, you risk the insurance company denying coverage if there is an accident.  Separate teen auto policies exist, but they are often more expensive than including your teen on your policy.  Many auto insurance companies will offer discounts ranging from 10-15% or more if your teenager maintains at least a “B” average in school and successfully completes a state-approved safe driver course. You can also lower your premiums on auto insurance if you avoid purchasing sports and luxury cars for your teen.

Following these tips will help keep your teenager safe behind the wheel. However, if someone you love is injured in an automobile accident, seek the trusted counsel of experienced Ft. Pierce automobile accident attorneys to get you the compensation you deserve.