Will you be adding a new teen driver to your family insurance package in Tulsa, Oklahoma this year? Here is everything you need to know about auto insurance for teen drivers in Oklahoma.
First of all, expect higher rates. Insurance rates are determined in part by how likely the driver is to have an accident. Teen drivers between the ages of 16-19 have the highest rate of accidents out of any other age groups. According to the CDC each day an average of 650 teens are injured in accidents and 6 fatalities are caused by teen drivers.
Young teen drivers tend to drive faster and follow other cars more closely. Teens are also far more likely to engage in distracted driving whether it’s by talking to friends, singing along to the radio or using their cell phones while driving. In fact 88% of teen driver self identify as driving multitaskers. It is estimated that 1 in 3 teens take their eyes off the road every time an app notification pops up on their phone.
Parents are the #1 influencers over teens driving safely both by modeling good driving behavior and by setting clear rules for safe driving. Parents and teens should communicate about distracted driving and have rules with strict penalties including loss of use of the car if caught driving distracted.
Safe driving contracts between parents and teens should include: wearing a seat belt,driving the speed limit, and putting the phone away while driving (go so far as demanding it be put in a purse, backpack or glove compartment while driving to remove temptation). It is best if brand new drivers and young teens not transport their friends at first. Talking to friends while driving, especially for a new driver, can become a fatal distraction.
While your teens age will be an unchangeable factor of higher auto insurance premiums you can try to lower your bill by sharing cars or buying older model used cars for teens. Teens should spend plenty of time behind the wheel practicing with no speeding tickets or accidents before being allowed to give rides to friends or younger siblings.