Parents often shudder at the thought of their teenager driving. Then the day arrives. The child successfully passes the driving test and is now officially a licensed driver. The next leap of faith is to let him or her drive independently. Although he or she has the right skills as evidenced by passing the driver's test, it is easy to question whether they he or she will continue to employ these skills alone.
Teenagers are known to feel indestructible. They don't worry about dangers and accidents. Therefore, teenagers may take risks when they don't have an adult looking over their shoulder. Risks when driving a vehicle can result in damage to the car, injuries or even a fatality.
How does a parent overcome this concern and allow their child to drive independently? One recommendation is to make the child prove that he or she is worthy of this trust. Let the teenager know that an electronic monitor is being installed in the vehicle. This device plugs into the on-board diagnostic port and records the vehicle speed, hard braking or acceleration and other parameters.
Depending on the device purchased, the parent may need to periodically remove it and plug it into the computer to download data, or the device may actually directly email a report daily or weekly. In either case the parent can regularly review the output and determine if safe driving practices were followed. The parent can discuss the findings with the teenager. In some cases it may be helpful to provide further driving guidance. Other situations, such as excessive speeding, may warrant penalties or loss of driving privileges.
If you choose to install an electronic monitor, be sure to check with your insurance provider to find out if they offer a discount. Electronic monitors are likely to reduce the chance that your teenager will make unsafe driving choices because they know they will be caught. That reduces the risk of accidents, which makes the insurance provider happy and more willing to provide a discount.
Does your teen driver qualify for lower rates thanks to safe driving? Call First Insurance Group at (800) 511-2892 for more information on Bardstown auto insurance.