Cell Phones and Teen Drivers
Teenage driver’s parents often face high insurance rates because insurance companies view them as “high risk.” Teen drivers are less experienced and therefore are less likely to adequately identify hazards and more likely to underestimate the level of danger present in certain situations. In addition, teenagers are statistically more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as drunk driving, infrequent seat belt use, and using cell phones while driving.
The Dangers of Cell Phones Behind the Wheel
Using a cell phone while driving, especially sending and receiving text messages, can distract a driver and cause accidents with dire results. In fact, 330,000 deaths and 2,600 fatalities occur each year in the United States due to cell phone use while driving. Texting presents an even more dangerous distraction, since when texting, a driver must remove his or her eyes from the road to read or type text messages. It is the responsibility of parents, teachers, and other adults to talk to teenagers about safe driving habits.
You can help keep your teen’s insurance rates low by encouraging them to drive safely and keep a clean driving record. Additionally, a teenager can secure lower insurance rates by performing well in school. Insurance companies often offer discounts or special rates for high-performing students, since good students are likely to exhibit responsible driving behaviors.
Contact Us
With the help of the right insurance agency, you can find a low-cost, high-quality insurance option for your teenage driver. To learn more about car insurance rates in the Chicago area, contact the Chicago car insurance agents of Insure on the Spot today at 773-202-5060 to see how we can help you.