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[I357]Insurance For Teenage Driver

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In addition, males and females in this age bracket are responsible for 14 percent of all car accident-related fatalities, even though they only make up about seven percent of the driving population. Despite popular thought, boys are no more likely to crash or become involved in car accidents than girls.

Why are teenage driver accidents so common, and why are teenagers, more than older drivers, at particular risk for crashing and causing auto accidents, killing themselves or their passengers or other innocent victims? It's because they're risk takers, says Rose McMurray, the NHTSA associate administrator for traffic safety programs. They're new drivers, inexperienced drivers, distracted and unfocused drivers, more aggressive drivers, hormonal drivers, and risk-taking drivers who can often assume they're "invincible" or "immortal." Most teen drivers involved in car crashes were either drinking (illegally), speeding, or both.

Of course, all teenagers (and everybody else, for that matter) must pass both a written and practical driving test before they can get their license to drive on their own, but the truth of the matter is that teenagers are often not experienced with many everyday driving situations. Such as traffic jams, high-traffic situations, highway driving, certain weather conditions (heavy rain, heavy snow, icy roads) before getting licensed, and are therefore unprepared for what to do and unsure how to respond when those situations do arrive in their early driving days, weeks, months, and even years.

Some experts believe that drivers education programs are somewhat at fault for the high incidence of teenage driver accidents. These programs tend to take the place of teens receiving personal, one-on-one training from a parent or other experienced, older adult who knows the teen, and the programs also tend to focus on teaching teens only the basics of road rules, how to drive, and what specifically they need to do to pass the driving test.

As a result, parents are under the mistaken impression that their teens come away from the driving program fully equipped and prepared to handle any and all driving situations. However, this is often not the case; in fact, many newly licensed teenage drivers are putting themselves, their passengers, and other drivers at huge risk simply by driving.

It's even more upsetting to think that even if a teenager (whether it's you, your daughter or son, or someone else you know) is a proven responsible driver, they could still suffer major injuries or even death just by getting into a car with an irresponsible or inexperienced teen driver. In fact, the more passengers a teenage driver has, the more likely it is for the driver to get into an accident.

Parents of teenagers who died in teenage driver accidents throughout the U.S. are working to find ways to keep teenagers safe while driving. State driving laws and requirements and driver testing laws have changed, graduated drivers licensing programs have been incorporated, and educational programs informing teens and their parents about the reality of teenage driver accidents and their associated injuries and fatalities are increasing in number.

Of course, teenage driver accidents still happen, and many families involved in car crashes or other auto accidents seek compensation or litigation. You may require the services of a law firm specializing in car accidents if you're a teenager and were recently responsible for a car crash or other auto accident that may have injured or killed others involved, if you're the parent, guardian, or close relative of a teenager either responsible for the crash or a victim of the crash, or if you were otherwise involved in the auto accident caused by a teenager (whether you were a passenger or in the other car).

Our law firm is a reputable and established company that specializes in all types of auto accidents, teenage driver accidents included. If you're looking for the services of a lawyer because of a car crash or other auto accident that was the fault of the teenager (whether you're the teenager, the teenager's parent, or someone else involved in the accident), then contact us today for more information or a consultation.

When actor Jake Gyllenhaal was sixteen, his parents allowed actor and professional race car driver Paul Newman to take him out on the track for a driving lesson he'd never forget. While the boy sat transfixed in his seat Newman roared the NASCAR they were riding in straight at a wall only to steer clear of it at the last second with the admonition, ?never do that.?

Most parents of teenagers who are old enough to get their driver's licenses don't have a professional race car driver who can make an impression on their kids. But the good news is that as parents there are many things you can teach your child that will have the same effect.

No. 1: Don't push kids who are not ready.

Most teenagers can't wait to get behind the wheel for the first time because they know that driving will give them new freedoms. But if your child resists getting a license at 16, let him know that he can wait until he feels he is ready. And if you feel your child should wait until 17 to drive, when he will be more responsible, don't let your child pressure you into letting him drive just because other kids drive at 16.

No. 2: Set a positive tone.

When your teen is ready to drive, let him know that you think he will be a great driver. At the same time, grant privileges slowly so you can add more as your son or daughter demonstrates they are ready for them instead of having to take privileges away when your trust is violated. Teenagers love to test their parents and in fact it is their job to do so. It is the parents? job to set clear rules and to hold teenagers responsible when they are violated. Consider rewarding your teen if he or she is accident-free for a certain period of time and remove restrictions when you find they are no longer necessary.

No. 3: Sign a Contract.

The best way to lay out the rules you expect your new driver to follow is to put them in a contract you both will sign. The contract should cover such things as the number of friends who can be in the car with the new driver (most likely one), what time the driver must be home on school nights and weekends, responsibilities for gas, insurance and car maintenance and the mandatory use of seat belts for all passengers.

No. 4: Don't give him an excuse to drive drunk.

Even though you have made it absolutely clear that there is to be no drinking and driving, you should let your teen know that you will pick him or her up with no questions asked wherever they are if they are drunk or the driver who took them somewhere is incapable of driving. Teens who are afraid their parents will ?kill them? are more likely to take the risk of driving drunk or get in the car of an impaired person because they are afraid of getting in trouble.

No. 5: Be a good role model.

Make certain that your driving habits don't conflict with any of the rules you have set for your teenage driver. Don't drive if you have had a few drinks and keep your temper in check in situations that could lead to road rage. Your teenager is paying as much attention to what you do as what you tell him to do.

Want help creating a driver's contract? Download one free at Dr. Rosenthal's Web site where you'll also find additional valuable advice on parenting a teenager.

? Maryann Rosenthal ? All Rights Reserved

Article Source : Pictures Of Muscle Cars

Maryann Rosenthal has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cars, Parental Care. Maryann Rosenthal, Ph.D., is an international authority on family dynamics, often featured on television news and national programs as a parenting expert. She is the author of "Be a Parent Not a Pushover: A Guide to Raising Emotionally Healthy Teens." Go. Maryann Rosenthal's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.