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Most teens cannot wait to get their license. But it’s important to remember that while you may be excited about this milestone, driving is a serious responsibility. An accident could include damage to cars and other property, as well as injuries to you, your passengers and others.
Insurance is mandatory. Massachusetts law prohibits you from driving without insurance. Teens can be covered by their parents’ policy or they can purchase their own. Being required to carry insurance before driving not only protects you, it protects everyone else on the road. Consumers are required to carry a certain minimum level of liability insurance before getting behind the wheel, but there is always a chance that those minimum levels won’t be enough to cover you in a real-world accident.
If a teen obtain a driver’s license, they or their parents must notify the insurance company within 60 days of that date. All licensed household members and any other licensed person who will customarily operate your vehicle must be listed on the insurance policy.
Your teen sees a driver’s license as a step toward freedom, but you might not be sure your teen is ready for the road. One thing is certain: teens aren’t ready to have the same level of driving responsibility as adults. Teen drivers have a higher rate of fatal crashes, mainly because of their immaturity, lack of skills, and lack of experience. They speed, they make mistakes, and they get distracted easily – especially if their friends are in the car.
To help your teen stay safe behind the wheel, educate yourself about the consequences of illegal alcohol use by minors, the benefits of seat belt use, the growing epidemic of distracted driving, and much more. If you have any questions, contact our office at 413.475.7283 or Complete our online quote form today!
DISTRACTED DRIVING
Teens’ inexperience behind the wheel makes them more susceptible to distraction behind the wheel. One in three teens who text say they have done so while driving. Is your teen one of them? Distracted driving can take on many forms beyond texting and talking on the cell phone. Many teens may try to use their driving time to eat their morning breakfast or drink coffee, to apply makeup, or to change the radio station. Many teens are distracted by the addition of passengers in the vehicle. Any distraction is a dangerous distraction. Taking eyes off the road even for five seconds could cost a life.
PASSENGERS
Teen drivers were two-and-a-half times more likely to engage in one or more potentially risky behaviors when driving with one teenage peer, compared to when driving alone.
SPEEDING
Speeding is a critical safety issue for teen drivers. Teens should especially be aware of their speed during inclement weather, when they may need to reduce their speed, or with other road conditions, like traffic stops or winding roads.
DRUNK DRIVING AND DRUGS
Remind your teen that underage drinking is illegal, and driving under the influence of any impairing substance – including illicit, over-the-counter, and prescription drugs – could have deadly consequences. Let your teen know: Law enforcement officers will be able to test for these substances.
SEAT BELTS
Tragically, seat belt use is lowest among teen drivers. In fact, the majority of teenagers involved in fatal crashes are unbuckled. As teens start driving and gradually gain independence, they don’t always make the smartest decisions regarding their safety. They may think they are invincible, that they don’t need seat belts. They may have a false notion that they have the right to choose whether or not to buckle up.
What Can You Do?
Although teen driver fatalities have declined over the years, motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of teen deaths. As a parent, you are the number one influence on your teen driver’s safety. Here’s how to get started on shaping your teen into a safe and capable driver.
- Start the Conversation Early
- Set the Standard
- Spell Out the Rules
Encharter Insurance is an independent insurance agency. We can provide coverage from many insurance carriers so you receive the auto insurance for your budget and needs.
Chat with an Encharter agent about your insurance today:
413.475.7283
Complete our online quote form
Source: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/tips-for-teen-driving#:~:text=If%20you%20obtain%20a%20driver’s,listed%20on%20the%20insurance%20policy and https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving
