Driving Tips for Teens

A teen’s first years behind the wheel bring newfound freedom and responsibility, but also potential danger.

Following are a few safety suggestions to share with your teens:

DID YOU KNOW…..using a cell phone while driving is the equivalent of .08 blood alcohol content which is legal intoxication?

COMMIT…to never using a cell phone to talk while driving. Be sure to check your states laws as some states prohibit anyone under the age of 18 from using a cell phone while driving.

DID YOU KNOW….the number one cause of death for teenagers is traffic crashes? For every teen driver killed, there are two other individuals killed.

DECIDE….to drive reasonably. Picture your mom or dad, or even your drivers’ ed teacher, sitting in the seat next to you.

DID YOU KNOW …. 20 percent of teens start drinking and THEN choose a designated driver? 30 percent of teens pick a driver who has been drinking.

AVOID….drinking and driving. If you cause a crash, especially one that involves injury or death, the stakes get high quickly. It’s not a matter of whether or not you’ll go to jail, it’s how long.

DID YOU KNOW….distractions while driving – texting, talking on the phone, multiple passengers, changing the radio or ipod, and driving late at night – increase the odds that you or someone else on the road will be killed or injured?

CHOOSE….to drive responsibly. Make a conscious decision to steer clear of distractions while behind the wheel. Driving in itself is multitasking.

DID YOU KNOW….a lot of accidents happen when turning left?

BE EXTRA CAREFUL….when making left-hand turns and obey the speed limit.

MAKE IT A HABIT… to never leave home without your seatbelt on, even if it’s just through the parking lot or down the street. Most accidents happen within 1 mile from home.

These helpful tips were provided by Standard Mutual Insurance.

Call Mars Insurance for additional tips and options that are available to keep your teens safe.