Ways to help with teen driving safety

From Car Seat to Driver’s Seat™, State Farm believes in educating the public about the importance of vehicle, driver and passenger safety.

According to a report from the Governors Highway Safety Administration (GHSA) and Ford Motor Company Fund, speeding and lack of experience are often to blame for risky teen driving behavior. This may explain why motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of teen fatalities in the U.S.

Safe driving tips for teens

• Ensure compliance with graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws. Many states have rules that prevent teens from driving at night or with other teens. Know the laws in your state and possibly set stricter standards.
• Restrict night driving. Close to two-thirds of fatal crashes that happen at night are speed related and involve 16-year-old drivers.
• Keep a safe following distance. In normal driving conditions, the general rule is "three seconds plus."When the vehicle in front of you passes a stationary object, begin counting. You should reach that same object no sooner than three seconds, four seconds ideally. Increase following distance when visibility is poor or you're in traffic.
• Limit teen passengers. Research has shown significant reductions in deaths were associated with graduated driving laws, including a restriction on carrying passengers or the number and age of passengers carried. Make sure your teen knows how to keep passengers safe.
• Share the car to prevent speeding. Parents can also set a good example by practicing safe driving themselves.
• Discuss consequences. Teenage speeding puts lives and licenses on the line. It can also be expensive, and pricey tickets can increase insurance premiums.
• Be involved. Frequently ride with your teens to be sure they're being safe. And when you're driving, be a good role model. Always travel at a speed appropriate for the road conditions and brush up on what may have changed since you started driving.

For more pointers on safe driving check out our Top Tips For New Drivers video.

Some insurers offer educational tools (courses and telematics devices) to help monitor teen driving. Upon completion or use, a discount is given. State Farm® offers the Steer Clear® program, learn more about it today.