National Teen Driver Safety Week

Parents: keep your teenage driver safe and your auto insurance affordable

There’s nothing quite like that moment – exhilarating for every teen and nerve-wracking for every parent - when a freshly-licensed young driver is able to take the keys and make their first solo trip behind the wheel. For parents, preparing your teens to drive responsibly and having the right insurance coverage – just in case – can make that moment just a bit less stressful.

The most dangerous time in most teenagers’ lives is when they start driving. As a parent, you are in the best position to coach your teen about safe driving practices, provide them the driving experience they need and protect them and your family with adequate auto insurance for the new drivers in your household.

The week of October 19 is National Teen Driver Safety Week, a reminder for parents and teens to take steps to help reduce crashes, injuries, and deaths on the road. In 2023, 45 young drivers in Washington, 17 in Oregon, and 14 in Idaho were killed in traffic crashes. Young drivers were involved in nearly 15% of all traffic fatalities in Washington, 10% in Oregon, and 17.5% in Idaho, according to NHTSA data.

New, young drivers often lack the skills, experience, and maturity to respond safely to risks. According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC), the most common factors in teen crashes include speeding, impairment, distraction, and nighttime driving.

Parents are the most effective teachers behind the wheel. Research from AAA shows teens with more involved parents receive fewer tickets and take fewer risks. For resources on driver education and licensing, visit AAA’s Teen Driver Safety webpage.

It’s also a good time to talk with your teen about auto insurance and how to manage costs. Adding a teen driver can increase your premium 50 percent or more, but there are ways to keep rates in check while maintaining strong coverage.

The NW Insurance Council offers the following tips to keep your teenage driver safe and your auto insurance premiums down:

• Enroll your teen in a Drivers Education Course and a Graduated Drivers License Program. Every state has a graduated drivers license law that includes a three-phase program to help teens gain experience behind the wheel and develop better driving skills and habits.
• Choose a safe vehicle for your teen. Avoid small cars, sports cars, or older SUVs prone to rollovers. Organizations like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety provide crash test data and rate vehicle safety.
• Set clear rules. No drugs, alcohol, texting, or phone use while driving, and seat belts are non-negotiable..
• Be a good role model. Teens learn driving habits by watching their parents.
• Shop and compare for auto insurance. Rates vary widely for young drivers. Ask your agent about discounts and programs for safe drivers or good students.
• Bundle and save. Adding your teen to your own policy is usually cheaper than a separate policy and may qualify for multi-vehicle discounts.
• Consider more coverage. Increasing liability limits or adding an umbrella policy can better protect your family’s assets.
• Raise your deductible. This could save 10 to 20 percent on your premium, savings that could go towards purchasing more liability coverage.
• Ask about “student away” discounts if your teen attends college without a car..

For more resources to help keep your teen safe behind the wheel, visit the National Safety Council’s Drive It Home: Helping You Keep Your Teen Driver Safe. For more information about teen driving and auto insurance, contact NW Insurance Council at 800-664-4942.