As we head into spring’s warmer weather, more drivers are out enjoying the sunshine. Many drivers are teenagers who obtain permits during the winter and are excited to get behind the wheel. But unfortunately, the risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among teens ages 16–19 than any other age group. Melanie Bakala at State Farm in Shelton and Lacey/Olympia shares several tips to help keep your teen’s driving experience a better one.
State Farm’s Melanie Bakala’s Tips to Help Keep Your Teen Driver Safe
Bakala says several preventive steps help keep teen drivers safer on the road.
- Ensure compliance with graduated driver licensing laws. Many states have rules that prevent teens from driving at night or with other teens. Bakala says 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 shows significant reductions in deaths are associated with graduated driving laws, including a restriction on carrying passengers or the number and age of passengers carried. Bakala says to make sure your teen knows how to keep passengers safe.
- Share the car to prevent speeding. Bakala says parents can also set a good example by practicing safe driving themselves. When driving with your teen, always travel at a speed appropriate for the road conditions.
- 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. Bakala suggests that you frequently ride with your teens to be sure they’re safe. Brush up on what may have changed since you started driving.
Contact Melanie Bakala to Learn More About Auto Insurance for Teens at State Farm
Contact Melanie Bakala and associates for a quote or to learn more about auto insurance for your teen. Visit Melanie Bakala’s State Farm Lacey/Olympia or Shelton websites, or call 360.426.2428 (Shelton) or 360.972.7905 (Lacey/Olympia).
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