Learning to drive is exciting for any teen and also a great time to enroll in drivers education classes, something that all auto insurance agencies recommend for newer drivers.
Not only do drivers ed classes give new drivers a good overview of the important basics they must learn, they can sometimes make those drivers eligible for lower auto insurance rates.
Drivers ed is a little different today than it used to be years ago, so car insurance agencies suggest that parents and adults teaching teens understand the current safety techniques being taught to avoid confusing learning drivers and maybe learning a little something new themselves!
Reducing Distraction Is A Driving Priority
Distracted driving is one of the top causes of accidents auto insurance agencies help their clients handle.
That is partially due to the fact that there is a lot more to be distracted by today when driving a car.
From smartphones to onboard GPS to stereo systems and all the digital car controls, safe driving requires all of it to be either turned off or only used after pulling over.
This is a rule that car insurance companies stress that all drivers should be practicing, not just newer ones.
Keep Longer Distances
Some of the more common accidents filed against auto insurance policies are rear-end accidents which can be avoided if drivers give themselves longer than the previously-recommended one car length per 10 MPH of speed.
More accurate is the three-second rule of counting at least three seconds of distance between cars, with more time and distance maintained at higher speeds.
Count by noticing how long after the car in front passes an object at the side of the road until the driver’s car does, adjusting the time as necessary.
Recommended Hand Positions Have Changed
The traditional 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock hand positions have been updated, mostly due to new vehicle features.
Auto insurance agencies point out that drivers are p;now recommended to keep their hands at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock, low enough that there is less chance of hand damage if the steering wheel airbag deploys.
In addition, the practice of crossing over the steering wheel to turn should be avoided and it is now recommended to push ;up with one hand and pull down with the other.
Know The Beginning Driver Laws
Another thing that car insurance companies find continues to change both over time and by location are the laws pertaining to beginning drivers.
Before getting in the car and handing over the keys, adults should research the age at which teens are allowed to drive on the road with someone, when they can get a learners permit, driving hours and distances, and other stipulations.
These restrictions are designed to keep learners safe so they don’t take on more than they can handle before becoming proficient.
Keep Teaching The Basics
There is one area of driving that is still being taught in drivers ed and should be also taught by any parent or adult helping a teen learn to drive are the important basics that can prevent an auto accident.
Today’s vehicles have many new automatic features like braking and lane departure systems to name a few; however, all drivers should still know the simple basics.
Being able to drive without the features and knowing how to react in different circumstances is the key to safe driving.
Today’s Drivers Ed Classes Helpful But Different
Driver’s education classes are ;recommended by auto insurance agencies and continue to be a staple resource for new teen drivers or any person getting behind the wheel for the first time.
Car insurance companies do point out ;that the classes now teach currently recommended techniques that may be different from what adults were taught in the past.
Any adult assisting someone with driving lessons should brush up on these changes and how they help prevent accidents and auto insurance claims in today’s driving world!
