One of the most important tips anyone can offer a teen driver about obtaining, and keeping, cheap car insurance, is the tip of driving safely and responsibly. This advice does not mean just buckling up and driving the speed limit. Driving safely and responsibly goes beyond those basics – especially for teen drivers.

Below are some tips and advice for teens to drive safely and responsibly.

Obey the law. Obeying the law means buckling your safety belt (wearing a safety belt is a legal requirement in most states); driving the speed limit (speed limits change in different parts of town, especially in school and work zones); knowing, and respecting, what the colors of traffic lights mean; not driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or any other controlled substance; placing at least the length of one vehicle between you and the car in front of you; always signaling your next move to the vehicles surrounding you; and driving only during the times drivers your age are legally allowed to drive.

Respect your surroundings. Respecting your surroundings means driving in accordance with everything around you. Drive slower than the speed limit when weather elements such as rain and snow require it. Keep watch of pedestrians, especially children who may be playing close to the road. Pay attention to all vehicles around you, especially in high traffic areas.

Avoid unnecessary distractions. Unnecessary distractions include things such as putting on make up, eating, chatting on your cell phone, blasting the radio, and cramming too many friends into your vehicle. Many states have laws regulating how many passengers teen drivers are allowed to have. Know, and follow, those laws. When in doubt, never allow more passengers than your vehicle has safety belts.

Car insurance companies already view teen drivers as high risk. By driving safely and responsibly, teen drivers can keep traffic violations and accidents to a minimum, thus helping them maintain cheap car insurance.