Study: Metropolitan Cities With Highest Teen Crash Rates

A study by Allstate Insurance Company in May 08 found the following cities to have the highest crash rates for teens:

• Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Fla.
  
• Orlando/Kissimmee, Fla.
  
• Jacksonville, Fla.
  
• Nashville, Tenn.
  
• Birmingham, Ala.
  
• Phoenix, Ariz.
  
• Kansas City, Mo. (and Kan.)
  
• Atlanta, Ga.
  
• Charlotte, N.C.
  
• Louisville, Ky.

The study also found the cities with the lowest teen driver fatality rates were:

• San Francisco/Oakland, Calif.
  
• San Jose, Calif.
  
• New York City (including Long Island and northern New Jersey)
  
• Los Angeles, Calif.
  
• Cleveland, Ohio
  
• Milwaukee, Wisc.
  
• Boston, Mass.
  
• Portland, Ore.
  
• Salt Lake City, Utah
  
• Chicago, Ill.

George Ruebenson, president of Allstate Protection adds:

"The study shouldn't just concern parents and leaders in the nation’s deadliest hotspots – car crashes claim the lives of more American teens than anything else coast-to-coast. Although some cities post better scores than others, the whole country must take responsibility for addressing this crisis. We feel that state and federal leaders should enact uniform national standards for graduated drivers licensing laws. Further, we must have better conversations with teens about safe driving and set good examples through our own good driving behavior."

Their findings kicked off a campaign to unify Graduated Licensing Laws which currently differ state to state. You can read the full article by clicking here.

Teen / Parent Driving Contract

Teenagers these days think they know everything. And yeah, they might know be up on the latest Twitter posts but they don't know everything when it comes to driving.

You want to give them a little freedom, maybe fall, but ultimately get back up and learn from the mistake. YES, they promise to be safe... that they won't speed, that they'll check their blind spot-- but you don't really know once you're not watching from the passengers seat.

But maybe you're right... they need a little freedom. But you should still have a Teen / Parent Driver Contract! Here's a sample of what's covered...

1. I understand that as far as the law is concerned, my acts are the acts of my parents.
   
2. I will drive carefully, cautiously, in control and obey the law.
   
3. I will not allow my car to be driven by anyone who has been drinking any form of intoxicating liquor or has taken any type of illegal drug or any drug that could cause danger to passengers in the car or public.

This form is great... your teen now has a contract with you and all is fair! They can't renege on the contract and you can fall back on what you've already agreed upon... it's signed and dated!

For the full version, e-mail us at info@sav-on.com and request one! You have to realize now, there are legal implications of a teen driver!

Are you Negatively Impacting Your Teen’s Driving Behavior?

We read a lot about the reasons why teenage drivers are more likely to have accidents than older, more experienced drivers. Speed, over correction, and distractions in the car are cited as being some of the most frequent contributors to teenage driving accidents.

But, let’s take a moment to examine your teen's state of mind when they get into the car, or while they are in it with you. To promote your teen’s safety behind the wheel, do your best to provide them with an emotionally supportive and safe environment at home. Angry or emotionally upset teenage drivers are more inclined to rebel through some form of wild behavior, such as speeding or reckless driving. Monitor your teen carefully before allowing them to drive if you know they are upset.

Additionally, if you’re one of those committed parents who is providing driver training to your teenage child, you need to make sure you exhibit patience and control your reactions to their mistakes. Parents over reacting emotionally can be as dangerous as teenagers over correcting the car. Consider the following questions:

1. Does my teenage child know that it’s ok to make mistakes? Or does he think I’ll lose it if he does?
   
2. If he models my driving behavior, will he be safe? Or am I guilty of many of the actions I’m coaching him to avoid?
   
3. Is my teen too stressed to drive safely? Am I contributing to that stress?
   
4. Have I made my teenage driving expectations clear?
   
5. Does my teenager understand the consequences of breaking the teenage driving rules we’ve established?
   
6. Do I spend too much energy worrying about what could happen?
   The more you worry about anything, the worse that situation becomes, because worry wears you down and makes you less effective. Even when it comes to parenting, our kids don’t need us to worry about them; they need us to believe in them. Believing in your child’s inherently positive potential supports his belief in himself, which is something he needs to accept responsibilities and overcome challenges.

For more information on how to keep your teen driver safe and for copies of teen/parent contracts visit our Safe Teen Driver Site www.teendriverinsurance.com/sav-on which is dedicated soley to helping parents help their teen drivers become safer drivers.