Learning how to drive can be stressful for teens and parents. Teens have the highest crash rate of all drivers. Parents can ease their anxiety and protect their kids by getting actively involved in the learning process.

“Talking about driving safety regularly, creating a driving agreement, practicing driving together and leading by example can make a huge difference in helping your teen drive safer when you’re not in the car,” said Gene Castiglioni, AAA South Jersey’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing.

Talk about driving safety early and often

Start by teaching your kids what kinds of driving behaviors are risky. According to a 2016 AAA survey of driving instructors, these are the three most dangerous mistakes teens make when learning to drive:

• Speeding – Discuss the importance of adhering to posted speed limits and knowing when to slow down for bad road or weather conditions.
• Distraction – A AAA study found that interacting with passengers and cell phones were the most frequent distractions for teen drivers. More than 2,500 teens (ages 15 to 19) were killed in crashes in 2015, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of those, 11 percent involved distracted driving.
• Poor visual scanning – Talk to your young driver about the importance of staying alert and properly scanning the road for hazards.

Layout the rules of the road

Research has shown that teens report engaging in less risky behavior when there is a formal agreement to establish driving boundaries. Visit teendriving.aaa.com for a sample agreement and other information to help parents and teens navigate the learning-to-drive process.

Prepare with practice

Plan to log at least 100 hours of driving practice with your teen before letting them drive solo. Expose them to different situations while driving together – night and day, freeways and gravel roads, sunny days and wet weather – to increase their experience.

Set a good example

Show your teen that you take driving as seriously as you expect them to. Avoid speeding and distractions. Always wear your seat belt. Obey traffic laws. Never drink and drive.

Insuring your new driver

Talk with your agent about making adjustment to your policies:

• Consider increasing deductibles. A deductible is the portion you pay out of your own pocket if you have to file a claim. Higher deductibles generally equal lower premium costs.
• Check for discounts. Ask about discounts for good students or teens who complete safe driving courses. You may also be able to save money by combining your auto and home policies with a single insurer.
• Choose safety over speed. When shopping for a car for your teen driver, avoid cars with high horsepower. Consider heavier vehicles with electronic stability control, which is mandatory for vehicles since the 2012 model year.

For more information about auto insurance, visit AAA.com/AutoInsurance, call your AAA insurance agency at 1-855-282-2275, or visit your local branch.