As a parent, it’s a proud moment when your teen finally gets their license. However, it is also natural to have concerns about their safety. In addition to locking in some affordable car insurance, review this list with your son or daughter to help them steer clear of common driving pitfalls.

What Behaviors Should New Drivers Avoid?

1. Forgetting to Check Blind Spots

When they need to get off at the next exit or take a left turn at an upcoming intersection, your teen may need to shift over to a new lane. This complicated maneuver will have many new drivers focused on finding an open space between the cars in front and behind them in the lane that they're switching to. 

While scanning their surroundings, many teens forget to also check their “blind spots,” the areas their side and rearview mirrors don’t show. The blind spots extend out from the car on either side, starting at the back of the front side window, and extend backward diagonally. When you’re driving with your teen, make sure they look over both shoulders to identify cars in their blind spots before shifting lanes. 

2. Getting Distracted

Your teen probably can't imagine a time before smartphones. They likely use theirs to communicate, create, and organize their schedule throughout the day. However, they must learn how to put their screens away and focus on their real-life surroundings when behind the wheel. To reduce the temptation to be on the phone, you could set up a standalone GPS in your teen’s car and encourage them to leave their smartphone in the glove compartment. They can also set up notifications to let their contacts know when they’re driving, so they can hold off on communicating until later.

3. Not Adjusting Following Distance

To prevent rear-ending the vehicle in front of them, your teen probably learned to keep at least two car lengths of distance between them and the car ahead. However, this rule is not static. This amount should be adjusted depending on the speed of travel and weather conditions. 

For example, on highways, your teen should double their following distance because it will take longer to come to a stop in an emergency when driving at higher speeds. The same goes for when visibility is poor, such as during rain or fog, or when towing a trailer. As a general rule of thumb, teens should allow at least four to five seconds of stopping time in inclement weather. The longer they go without an accident, the more affordable car insurance will be in the future.

New drivers face several challenges on the road, but finding affordable car insurance doesn’t have to be one of them. Parents can turn to Bob Shropshire Bail Bonds to find coverage in Downtown Cincinnati, OH. This family-owned business offers policies that work for your budget. To learn more about their offerings, visit the website, or call (513) 721-3915 to arrange a consultation.