At Blue Lion Insurance Advisors, LLC, in Red Bank, New Jersey,we are keenly aware of the risks young drivers face, as well as the worries that keep their parents up at night. As Auto Insurance advisors, we take our role relative to teen safety very seriously.
Because we are not affiliated with any particular insurance company, we are able to scrutinize all available policies and offer the best possible protection at the lowest price. We also encourage all of our clients to be proactive in taking precautions to keep their teenagers safe. Call us at (732) 649-1600 or contact us online to be informed about a variety of actions you can take to keep your teens protected during their formative years.
The Frightening Facts of Teenage Driving
Though disturbing to read, the following information, compiled by the NHTSA, is essential for teenagers and their parents to know:
- Teen drivers (16-19) are three times as likely as drivers aged 20+ to be in a fatal crash
- Teens are at highest risk of being in a car crash during their first 2 years of driving
- Half of all teens will be involved in a car crash before graduating from high school
- Dialing a phone while driving increases the risk of crashing by 6 times
- Texting while driving increases the risk of collision by 23 times
- Fatality risk for teen drivers increases by 44 percent with one peer passenger, doubles with two passengers and quadruples with three
As you would expect, factors contributing to increased teen driving risks are inexperience, immaturity, susceptibility to peer pressure, and heightened impulsivity. So what is a conscientious parent to do?
Preventive Measures Parents and Their Teens Can Take
Spending as much time as we do on risk assessment and risk management at Blue Lion Insurance Advisors, LLC, our Auto Insurance advisors are always up-to-date on measures proven to protect teens as they take on the responsibilities inherent in driving.
Fortunately, recent decades have seen improvements not only in car safety (seatbelts, airbags, warning signals of various types) but in an increased emphasis on protecting teen drivers from their own worst instincts. Now, all 50 states have a 3-stage graduated driving licensing system (GDL) that is designed to limit high-risk driving for new drivers. In addition, organizations like MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and various public agencies have run successful public relations campaigns that have sharply decreased drunk driving among teens.
GDL Has Been Shown to Decrease Your Teen’s Crash Risk by as Much as 50 Percent.
Using the graduated driving licensing system helps teens move step by step through the process of increased driving responsibility and privileges as follows:
- Learner Stage: supervised driving, culminating in a driving test
- Intermediate Stage: limited unsupervised driving in high-risk situations
- Full Privilege Stage: a standard driver’s license
Until teens are in possession of full driving privileges, they will have to follow restrictions concerning:
- Hours during which driving is permitted
- Whether peers are permitted as passengers
- Whether phone calls (even hands-free) may be made while driving
- Mandatory GDL decals on both license plates
- Inability to plea bargain any offense during the probationary periods
Contact one of the knowledgeable professionals at Blue Lion Insurance Advisors, LLC to find out all of the specifics of the GDL system and to find the right Auto Insurance for your family and your teen. We all know that even with the safest teen at the wheel, accidents do happen and it’s imperative to have the comprehensive coverage you may need for property damage and/or personal injury.
Parental Guidance Is Important
Even, or maybe especially, during adolescence when your child may seem to be bent on disagreeing with you and engaging in rebellious behavior, psychologists report that parental views still carry significant weight for their teens.
This means that talking to your teen about the dangers of drug and alcohol use, both in terms of their safety and in terms of legal consequences, is time well spent. It is important that your youngster understand that New Jersey has zero tolerance for those under 21 driving with alcohol in their systems. The blood alcohol content acceptable for teens is not under .08 as it is for adults — it is absolute zero.
What You Do Speaks Louder Than What You Say
Remember that the most constant role model your teen driver has is you, so it is crucial that you follow the rules you espouse. Don’t speed. Come to a full stop at stop signs. Don’t drive after having “just a few” drinks. Keep your hands on the wheel. Don’t check your phone. Don’t tailgate. Be the safe driver you want your teen to be. It may save both of your lives.
Contact Us Today to Get the Right Insurance Coverage, at the Right Price with Superior Customer Service. That’s the heart of Blue Lion Strong™!