Posts Tagged ‘teen driving’
But discounts are available.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Jun.15, 2015

Texting and driving is one reason teens are socked with hefty insurance premiums.
It’s normal for parents to start worrying when their teens get old enough to drive – but wondering whether they’ll be safe is only one of the reasons. Adding a teen to the family car insurance policy is another reason to start fretting, as it could nearly double what parents already are paying, according to a new study.
On average, premiums will rise about 80%, according to a new study by insuranceQuotes.com. But the increase is likely to run an average 92% for a teenage male. The increases vary widely, depending upon state, averaging as little as 17% in Hawaii, and as much as 115% in New Hampshire, the study revealed.

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“It’s really expensive to insure a teen driver, said Laura Adams, the website’s senior analyst. The good news, she added, is that there are ways to get discounts if, for example, your teen is a good student.
The penalty for teen drivers should come as no surprise, experts say, considering young drivers tend to also be the riskiest group on the road.
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Tags: AAA, aaa foundation for safety, aaa teen safety study, auto news, car news, distracted driving, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, teen accidents, teen car insurance, teen crash deaths, teen crashes, teen driving, teen insurance, teen insurance premium, teen safety, texting safety, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automobiles | 1 Comment »
New study finds 2/3 of fatalities and injuries involve passengers, other drivers.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on May.27, 2015
Motor vehicle crashes have long been one of the primary causes of death and injuries among teen drivers. But a new study by AAA finds that young motorists are also a danger to everyone else on the road.
In all, nearly 3,000 people were killed in teen crashes in 2013, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, with nearly 400,000 injured. But a new AAA study finds that nearly two-thirds of the people injured or killed during a crash are people other than the teen behind the wheel.

Safety First!
“Teen crash rates are higher than any other age group, and this data confirms that the impact of their crashes extend well beyond the teen who is behind the wheel,” notes Peter Kissinger, President and CEO of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
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Tags: AAA, aaa foundation for safety, aaa teen safety study, distracted driving, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, teen accidents, teen crash deaths, teen crashes, teen driving, teen safety, texting safety, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automobiles | 2 Comments »
Texting only part of the problem, finds AAA study.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Mar.25, 2015

Nighttime sees deadly crashes among teen drivers double, according to a separate AAA study.
Federal research indicates roughly 11% of all highway deaths are the result of distracted driving. But a new study confirms what has long been feared, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety concluding that nearly six out of 10 moderate to severe teen crashes are the result of driver distraction.
The figure is significantly higher than had been estimated previously, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concluding distraction played a role in only 14% of teen crashes.

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“The in-depth analysis provides indisputable evidence that teen drivers are distracted in a much greater percentage of crashes than we previously realized,” said Peter Kissinger, the president and CEO of the AAA safety arm.
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Tags: aaa teen safety study, auto news, car news, distracted driving, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, teen accidents, teen crashes, teen driving, teen safety, texting safety, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automobiles | 1 Comment »
But there are ways to reduce the cost.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Jul.17, 2014

Teens have the highest rate of crashes, and distracted driving is just one of the reasons.
Studies show drivers under the age of 20 are three times more likely than the general population to get into a fatal accident, and that doesn’t include fender-benders and other, more routine crashes – all of which mean that parents who plan to put a teen onto their insurance policies need to be prepared for a big increase in premiums.
The insurance bill for the typical married couple will jump an average 79%, according to a new study by insuranceQuotes.com. And for those young motorists who have a poor driving record, premiums could well more than double. The good news, however, is that the average teen penalty dipped from 85% in 2013.

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The younger the driver, the more insurance rates will rise, and males will pay a stiffer penalty than females, reflecting their traditionally higher risk behind the wheel. Insurance rate increases also vary from state-to-state. The penalty is stiffest in New Hampshire, noted the insuranceQuotes report, at an average 111%. (more…)
Tags: auto news, car news, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, teen car crash, teen crash deaths, teen death, teen distracted driving, teen driver insurance, teen driving, teen driving deaths, teen insurance, teen insurance premium, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automobiles | Comments Off
Deadly crashes among young drivers spike 26% during summer break.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Jun.02, 2014

Nighttime sees deadly crashes among teen drivers double, according to AAA.
Car crashes are the leading cause of death among teen drivers, young drivers having three times the rate of fatal crashes as all motorists. And the accident rate routinely spikes 26% during what the AAA is calling the “100 Deadliest Days” of the year.
But parents can play a big role, the organization is stressing, pointing to studies that show accident rates are measurably lower when teens have limits set on their driving privileges.

Insight!
“Parents are instrumental and play a significant role helping their teen be a safer driver,” said John Pecchio, a traffic safety consultant with the AAA. “During the summer months, teens are more care-free and excited to have the freedom to drive around. So it’s imperative parents help keep safety top of mind.”
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Tags: 100 deadliest days, auto news, car news, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, teen car crash, teen crash deaths, teen death, teen distracted driving, teen driving, teen driving aaa, teen driving deaths, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automobiles | Comments Off
But 95% read texts and e-mails when driving alone, according to new survey.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Apr.18, 2013

Almost all teen motorists admit texting while driving alone, but far fewer will with friends aboard.
Peer pressure appears to be working to get teen drivers to reduce risky behavior when behind the wheel, according to a new national survey. Less than a third say they text and e-mail when behind the wheel with friends in the car – though 95% admit to doing so when driving alone.
There’s a similar drop in the number of young drivers who watch videos or post to social media sites, according to the 2013 teen driver study conducted for tire manufacturer Bridgestone Americas. And the figures drop even more sharply when there’s a parent in the car.

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Researchers say the findings suggest that while texting and e-mailing are an essential part of life for young drivers, it is becoming socially unacceptable to take risks while behind the wheel.
“The fact these actions are becoming socially unacceptable shows progress in the effort to raise awareness of the risks and consequences of distracted driving, but with this many teens admitting to engaging in the behavior privately, there is still much work to be done,” said Angela Patterson, Manager, Teens Drive Smart Program, Bridgestone Americas.
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Tags: auto news, bridgestone news, bridgestone young driver survey, car news, distracted driving, email driving, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, ray lahood, teen driver risks, teen drivers texting, teen driving, teens distracted driving, thedetroitbureau, young driver survey, young drivers
Posted in Automobiles | 1 Comment »
New survey finds girls far more likely to text, engage in other distractions while driving.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Apr.25, 2012

Texting by a young driver was blamed for this August 2010 crash that killed two.
It’s always the other guy. The other driver who we expect to run the light or engage in some other risky behavior while behind the wheel. And that’s especially true, apparently, when it comes to the nation’s youngest motorists. While they’re aware of the dangers of distracted driving, a new survey says teens continue to engage in risky behaviors because they’re convinced they’re personally not at risk.
The study, sponsored by Bridgestone tires finds that teens are in complete denial when it comes to highway safety. More than half of the 2,000 drivers, aged 15 to 21 said they were aware that distracted driving poses risk, yet a large number continue to engage in risky behaviors, such as texting while driving or using handheld phones.

Stay in the Know!
Notably girls are more likely than young male drivers to engage in behaviors that can cause distractions while behind the wheel. But teens and young adults are quick to point fingers and accuse their parents of taking even more risks.
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Tags: Bridgestone, auto news, auto safety, bridgestone news, bridgestone safe driving, car news, car safety, distracted driving, paul a. eisenstein, paul eisenstein, ray lahood, safe driving, teen driving, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automobiles | Comments Off
MyKey update limits access to adults-only radio.
by Joseph Szczesny on Dec.30, 2010

An updated version of the Ford MyKey will bar young drivers from accessing adults-only radio.
Ford Motor Co. is giving parents the power to censor the music selected by the teen drivers in their household.
The updated MyKey feature has been upgraded to allow parents to block explicit satellite radio programming while their teens are driving. The upgraded version of MyKey will debut as a standard feature late next year on the Ford Taurus and Explorer and will quickly be offered across a variety of Ford and Lincoln models, company officials said.
“Ford wants to give parents peace of mind that their kids are following practical household rules in the car,” says Graydon Reitz, director, Ford Electrical and Electronic Systems Engineering.

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“Parents obviously like this type of feature, and many teens are okay with it when they hear parents may give them the keys more often if the car comes with a technology such as Ford’s MyKey,” Reitz said.
The radio-blocking feature is specifically targeted at a dozen channels labeled by Sirius Satellite Radio as “explicit.”
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Tags: Ford Taurus, Teen Drivers, auto news, auto safety, car news, car safety, ford explorer, ford mykey, ford news, joe szczesny, mykey adult radio, teen driving, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automobiles | 1 Comment »
Slick, snowy roads can fool even the more experienced driver.
by tdb on Dec.29, 2009

Slow down! Antilock brakes and all-wheel drive won't help you stop faster.
Now that winter is firmly entrenched in our northern latitudes, drivers are trying to cope with the ice, snow, and other hazards that turn roads treacherous and contribute to the more than 1.5 million annual weather-related car crashes, according to the National Research Council.
Teen drivers, many of whom facing wintry conditions behind the wheel for the first time, need guidance to safely navigate the roadways through the upcoming months. To help, Liberty Mutual Insurance has a host of winter safety resources for teens click here. And if TDB’s experience is representative, more than teens need to think about navigating a two-ton car through the slop.
“Driving in wintry conditions is no easy task, even for seasoned drivers, and it is especially difficult for younger drivers with limited experience to adapt to slippery roads and poor visibility,” said Dave Melton, a driving safety expert with the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety.
“Teen drivers need to take extra steps to protect themselves this winter, and parents need to promote and enforce safe driving habits to keep their teens safe.”

Driving Tips!
Before getting behind the wheel, a driving safety video at the site will help teens and parents get winter road-ready and ensure their cars are safe and in good working order.
Website visitors also will find car maintenance tips and a checklist for a winter driving safety kit. These tips include:
- Before you get on the road in bad weather, check your local news stations and their websites for detailed, up-to-the-minute weather and traffic information.
- If your trip is absolutely necessary, give yourself extra time.
- During inclement weather put extra distance – at least five or six seconds -between yourself and the vehicle in front.
- Antilock brakes, all-wheel and four-wheel drive won’t help you stop faster.
- Turn on your headlights so other drivers can see you. In snow, fog and rain, don’t use high beams – they increase glare for both you and other drivers.
- Signal your intentions early; don’t surprise other drivers.
- Do not use cruise control when roads are hazardous.
- And, slow down!
- Did we mention slow down!
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Tags: Liberty Mutual Research Institute, National Research Council, The Detroit Bureau, TheDetroitBureau.com., auto industry, auto safety, driving tips, ken zino, safe driving, teen driving, winter driving safety
Posted in Automobiles | 2 Comments »