Teen Auto Insurance Quote » Teens

5 outdated driving tips parents teach teens- which are wrong?

Kamlesh Desai — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 23:29:21 +0000

teen driving with parents guidance

vanessa bryant : My teenager is always arguing with me, when I try to teach him how to drive or anything on car insurance.

Response : Vanessa, it is true that you are not the only one, most of us are in the same boat. In fact, we are also wrong on certain things, since car driving concepts are changing fast. As Parents of teenagers we need to listen up. The rules of the road have changed since you first learned to drive, and increased auto insurance premiums may be the least of your worries if your teen becomes involved in a collision.

The teen fatal accidents are aon the decline yet, in 2009, eight teens ages 16 to 19 died daily as a result of motor vehicle injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Things change and what I typically ask my students is ‘When is the last time your parents took driver’s ed – if they even did?’ It’s nothing personal… they’re just not updated on the correct methodologies,” says Sharon Postigo Fife, president of The Driving School Association of the Americas.

Learn what you can do — or not do — to retain cheap auto insurance rates and to keep your teenager safe behind the wheel.

“Research shows that children’s driving records are related to the records of their parents,” says Russ Rader, a spokesman for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Teens whose parents had three or more crashes on their records were 22 percent more likely to crash at least once when compared with teens whose parents had no crashes, according to IIHS data. Children whose parents had three or more violations on their records were 38 percent more likely to have a violation on their own records compared with teens whose parents had none.

Parents need to re-evaluate their driving habits and drive the way they want their teens to drive, Fife says.

“Whether or not parents realize it, their teen is going to drive like they do,” she says.

How can you set a good example for your children? “Don’t speed, don’t make turns at 25 miles an hour, don’t talk on the phone, eat dinner and all that other stuff when you’re driving,” says Fife.

James Solomon, program development and training director for the Itasca, Ill.-based National Safety Council’s defensive driving courses, agrees that “parents need to set the proper example for teens in the vehicle.”

Here are five old driving rules — and the new rules that can help keep your child driver safe.

Old: Hands at 10 and 2

New: Hands at 9 and 3

Experts used to recommend driving with your hands in the “10 and 2″ o’clock position on the steering wheel. However, they have since learned that “the better position is 9 and 3, which gives you a full 180-degree turn of the wheel,” says Solomon.

“You will find that some people push an 8 and 4 position. This is a very dangerous position if you are large-chested or large-stomached because your arms are trapped and cannot turn properly. Also, reaching that low on the steering wheel pulls your shoulders down, causing fatigue on the body,” he says.

Old: Two-second rule

New: Four-second rule

After much research, the old “two-second rule,” in which drivers allotted a two-second following distance between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them, was replaced with the “three-second or three-second plus” rule, according to Solomon.

If you’re more familiar with the old method of estimating car lengths to maintain a safe driving distance, you may not even know how to execute the “two-second rule.” You choose a fixed point that is even with the car in front of you. For example, pick a road sign or a building. If you reach that same fixed point before you can count to three, you are driving too close to the car in front of you and you need to fall back a bit.

According to the new rule, drivers should leave a minimum of three seconds following distance between vehicles, and add on additional seconds for factors such as speed exceeding 65 miles per hour and poor “light, weather, road traffic and vehicle conditions,” says Solomon.

But teenagers and senior citizens “should always maintain at least four seconds following distance,” says Solomon. “With seniors, there are hearing and vision situations, and with teens there is a lack of experience. A lot of high school driver’s ed curriculum is set at four seconds.”

Old: Left-foot braking

New: Right-foot braking only

Solomon says left-foot braking is another common mistake parents make when teaching their teen how to drive.

“If I have one foot on the gas and one on the brake, I have moved the center of my body to the right, so that in a quick, evasive maneuver I will be off balance. The left foot should always be off to the left to help counterbalance the body,” says Solomon.

Solomon says that in newer cars, the brake pedal and accelerator are very close together. That allows you to use your right foot for both, he says.

Left-foot highway driving can be especially problematic. “Not only is it not very economical – drivers are literally burning the brakes off of their vehicles – it also sends false signals to the driver behind you. After a while, their brain will override the braking signals and a collision will occur,” says Solomon.

Old: Pump the brakes

New: Don’t pump the brakes

In the past, drivers were taught to pump the brakes if the wheels lost traction on a slippery road.

“That’s no longer the case with modern, antilock brake systems,” says Rader.

Antilock brakes are designed to prevent the wheels from skidding by monitoring the speed of each wheel and automatically pulsing the brake pressure on any wheels where skidding is detected, he says.

Adds Solomon: “The onboard sensors [on antilock brakes] are pumping the brake a lot faster than you ever could

Rader says antilock brakes haven’t been found to reduce overall crashes. “But these systems are the basis for electronic stability control which research shows is significantly reducing crashes,” says Rader.

Old: Flashing headlights to send a message

New: Don’t use headlights to communicate with other drivers

Drivers sometimes flash their headlights as a way to communicate with other drivers. Depending on the situation, headlight-flashing can mean:

· Speed-trap ahead

· Accident ahead

· Turn off the high-beams, you’re blinding me

· I’m giving you the right-of-way

· I’m not yielding, so watch out

· You’re going way too slow for the fast-lane

· Nice car, buddy! I have one just like it!

There are three reasons to avoid flashing your headlights: the intended meaning can be misinterpreted by other motorists, it can make it difficult for other drivers to see and it is illegal in some states.

Because there are so many different meanings for flashing your headlights, doing so can backfire by confusing your fellow drivers.

In cases where you want to tell an oncoming driver to turn off their high-beams, flashing your lights can be dangerous. The North Dakota Parent Guide to Teen Driving, for instance, advises drivers not to flash high-beams because headlight glare can “temporarily blind you.”

In addition to confusing motorists or making it difficult for them to see, flashing your lights is also illegal in some states. For instance, in North Dakota it’s against the law to flash headlights when there is oncoming traffic. In Washington, it’s illegal to flash lights within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 300 feet as you approach another one from behind.

More safety and cheap teen auto insurance tips in the next post.

Drive safe and do not worry about teaching your teen driving. You might be better off letting the driving scholl do this job.

Enjoy your cheap teen auto insurance here.

Kamlesh

Some things you can do to keep your teen’s auto insurance premiums at a minimum

Kamlesh Desai — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 23:20:19 +0000

When you ask a teenagers what’s this something that they wanted to own, majority of them would have one answer- a car. Of course before one can have his or her car or at least drive their parent’s car, he needs to have the driver’s license first which is seen by young people as their gateway to freedom. Teenagers of today are actually lucky because they can have their own cars at an early age (with their parents’ resources of course). For parents who are considering of giving their teenage kids a car, they should also think of getting a car insurance for them.

When looking for teenage car insurance, the premium cost is the very prime concern. Universally, car insurance companies give more expensive insurance premium for teenagers and this is due to the fact that majority of teenage drivers are more prone to accident and risks. But the good news is that parents can have a car insurance for their teen kids at a lesser charge. If you are one among the many parents who is considering of getting a teen auto insurance for your teenage kids then you should be aware of the factors which can possibly help you get a better offer and premium.

Inculcate into your child’s mind the importance of having a clean driving record. Explain to them the benefits of following each and every traffic rule. Avoid traffic violations like over speeding. A good driving history is your passport to getting a lower premium cost.

With al the threats to security that we all are exposed into, it is recommended that you get a car for your teenage kids with excellent safety features. Also, avoid buying them ‘hot cars’ or those which attract car thieves so easily. Car insurance companies give lower premium rates to cars with high security features for they have lower risks of getting stolen.

Go for car insurance with higher deductibles for insurance companies more often than not gives a lower premium for policies with higher deductibles.

Get your child a stand-alone insurance policy to teach him the value of responsibility; that his insurance is his own responsibility. Part of this responsibility is following the guidelines and restrictions of his driver’s license.

As a parent, it is not just your responsibility to buy your kids nice cars and pay for their car insurance; it is also your responsibility to teach them how to be a law-abiding driver.

Getting car insurance for teens

Kamlesh Desai — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 14:35:51 +0000

Get an insurance quote for young people is a must, since cars are today sought after for growing and go wild teenagers. The category for teenager car owners is a highly profitable thing, because there are so many teenagers, who now own a car. Offer special and promising prices fact are common from many companies and online insurance companies for teenager car owners.

Due to the insurance companies, lack of information, which can have their driving safety assessment on the young people, is generally expensive car insurance for them. Later the cost of the vehicle rate for young people is, to reduce the teen driving performance. If a teenager not within six months from a mishap is encounter, a sure sign of excellent and safe driving performance.

The load of the numbers too much expensive to reduce quotes, it is now high time be wise. Teen and his parents can the teen at a cheaper rate for the insurance of his car to avail. The first strategy is less miles to go, because the less removed a teenager drives, the less chances of mishap. Due to the sexist believe that women of safer drivers are some insurance companies offer discounts for teenage girls.

If a teenager is in his car, make sure that the decision gave him or her play advice, how to drive. They can warn it to speed up tickets and imprisonment if he or she is 18 years of age and above, and advice, if he or she is a minor. If your family of less costs for insurance longs for your young people, give your young people an advice that says illegal activities avoid while driving a car.

In fact, no parent can determine that the decreasing monthly payment of driver cover the Center his. A parent may always satisfied with the fact that be its sure, teen driving, because it is this concept of insurance to drive if necessary. It is step up, that is at least your child home safely after the ride.

Hurry after reading this article up and stand up! Trade starting for the security of your teenager, if he or she can his or her own vehicle. Start young, to obtain cheaper offers. Save money, your child save lives.

Speeding tickets can affect cheap car insurance and also your job.

Kamlesh Desai — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:59:55 +0000

Howie: Thanks for your information on speeding tickets. I am glad that I can still get cheap car insurance, if my offence is not continous.

Speeding tickets and cheap car insurance

Response : Howie, we were discussing the cost of the speeding ticket. Today, let me discuss something which has recently come to light and that is the fact that your speeding ticket can cost you your job also. In case you are driving for your employer and your job involves driving than you will have to be careful how carefully you drive. Your driving history is not only important for the insurance company and for you to get cheap car insurance rates, it is also important for you to maintain your job.

Insurance companies are not only deciding on your insurance but are also deciding indirectly if you can be employed. When the employer goes to insurer you, the insurance company may deny your insurance or charge a high premium if your driving record is bad and thus your employer may decide not to give you your job. This is something the young drivers have to keep in mind.

Insurance companies are considering your driving record in great details and this is becoming a deciding factor of rating. The more driving activity a person has the more likelihood of an accident or getting involved in an offence like speeding. Secondly, your driving history is important whether you are driving your own car, your company’s car or your friend’s car.

The employers are also becoming more careful if you are driving the company’s car and have a bad driving record, since the liability which the company can get might be higher than the coverage that they have taken on the policy.

Young drivers, teens or college student should always remember that cheap auto insurance is not the only thing for what you need to keep a good driving record but it is going to affect your job also. If you want to have a cheap car insurance premium and if you want to make sure that you have a job in the future it would be important for you to have a good driving record. Good driving history would give you cheap car insurance – guaranteed.

Should parents indulge in training their teens to drive?

Kamlesh Desai — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:09:53 +0000

Edward Furlary : I have two teens a boy and a girl and I am very anxious of their safety while driving and keeping them safe besides the low insurance. I try to teach them driving, is this fine?

Parental indulgence and teen driving

Response : Edward, this is absolutely fine and the right thing. Let me tell you the results of an experiment done by State Farm which shows that :

“Compared with teens whose parents were uninvolved, kids who said their parents set clear rules and monitored their whereabouts without being overly controlling had half as many crashes and much better driving habits.

These teens were 71 percent less likely to drive while drunk and 30 percent less likely to use a cell phone while driving than kids with uninvolved parents.

Dr. Niranjan Karnik, a University of Chicago specialist in adolescent mental health, said the research underscores the importance of appropriate parenting and widely enacted graduated licensing laws for teens.

Debby Hendricks of Hatfield, Pa. made her daughters wait until age 17 to get their licenses, and gave them lots of driving practice beforehand.

The girls, aged 17 and 19, also share a family car, and can’t “just grab the keys and leave” without saying where they’re going and with whom, Hendricks said.

So far so good — neither girl has been in an accident, although the younger one, Leslie, has only had her license for a few months.

Leslie considers herself a safe driver, but adds, “I probably do underestimate the risks.”

Parents are requested to spend sometime with their teenagers in teaching them safety, young drivers need to be careful and establish a good record for teen auto insurance quote.