Driving: Through the Eyes of Teens
Shocking statistic: Motor vehicle crashes are the No. 1 cause of death among teens in the US.
The fatality rate for drivers age 16 to 19 years, based on miles driven, is four times that of drivers 25 to 69 years. More word needs to be done in this area of research and outreach to reduce these teen crash rates, and there are things we all can do to lessen the impact:
- The Role of Parents – while many parents recognize their role as teaching their teens to drive, it is critical that parents extend beyond teacher to that of monitor and enforcer of consequences.
- Risky Distractions – Almost all teen drivers report that they driver with other teens in the car at least sometimes, and admit to them being distracting. Frequently observed distractions involving teen drivers or passengers included cell phones, loud music, and heightened emotions.
- Risky Driving Behaviors – Research tells us that half of teens report seeing drunk driving by teen drivers at least sometimes, but three fourths of respondents report seeing fatigued driving by teens. Half of teen driver respondents report driving 10 miles per hour over the speed limit at least sometimes.
So, here are some quick ways teens can be safer on the road:
- Always wear seat belts
- Minimize distractions for the driver
- Limit the number of teen passengers
- Refrain from cell phone use while driving
CRASH FACTS:
Fifty-five percent of all crashes in which the driver fell asleep involved drivers 25 and younger in a NC state study.
Teens are actually less likely than adults to get behind the wheel after drinking, but when they do, their risk of crashing is far greater, even with low or moderate blood-alcohol levels.
To find out more about how teens can be safer on the road contact William Kohl Insurance Agency Inc.
*This article was based off of a research study performed by The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm Insurance.
Insurance for Young Drivers…
Generation insurance may be a fairly new term to some people, and some may believe it is referring to life insurance or similar policies that can be passed down from one generation to another. Actually, generation insurance refers to the different policies, prices, coverage, and other things related to insurance and the way it affects people of different ages.
For example, senior citizens often do not need the same auto insurance coverage as younger drivers. Their vehicles may be completely paid for, and also old enough that they feel that liability-only insurance is all that is necessary. Others may have found it necessary to have their vehicles fitted to accommodate wheelchairs, personal scooters, or other health aid devices.
Any of these can affect insurance rates. For this reason, many insurance companies now offer generation insurance that is based on one’s age.
It needs to be said here that there is no “legal” age at which one is considered a senior citizen. Some states may set the age at which one becomes eligible for senior citizen benefits at as young as 55, while another state may use the Social Security Administration’s “rule of thumb” and say that a person becomes a senior citizen at age 65, the same age as when one becomes eligible to draw Social Security benefits.
For this reason, different insurance companies may also have different ages at which they consider policyholders as senior citizens. And, in some cases, policyholders who are only in their 50s may be eligible for reduced rates.
Generation insurance is designed to save everyone money—and this includes senior citizens as well as young people, especially in the area of auto insurance. Consumers who believe they may meet the requirements to be eligible for generation insurance may want to inquire as to whether or not their current insurance companies offer such policies.
If a present insurance company does not, and the savings that can be had make it feasible from a financial standpoint, then a consumer may wish to consider changing insurance companies. As long as the coverage is adequate for a person’s needs, there is no reason not to go with a company that offers such discounts.
No one, however, should skimp on coverage just to receive a better rate. Having enough insurance is too important. The so-called savings one may think are being seen could easily disappear should an accident occur that is not completely covered by an auto insurance policy.