Ever wondered why teenage drivers are more prone to road accidents? Here are the leading causes of teen car accidents and their impact on your car insurance rate.
Young drivers frequently wonder why their car insurance premiums are so high. Insurers calculate premiums by analyzing risk, and data show that teenage drivers are far more likely to be involved in an accident.
Read on to know more about the leading causes of teen car accidents and how to avoid them. Consider whether you exhibit any of these tendencies in your driving so that you can enhance your road safety and avoid becoming another statistic.
Read: Factors that determine your car insurance rate
Teen car accidents: Why do they occur?
Every time a driver gets behind the wheel, they are aware of the potential for a collision with another vehicle. While this may be the case, it appears that young drivers are more likely to be involved in traffic accidents than older drivers.
Studies have indicated that drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 are responsible for most accidents on our roads.
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Teen car accidents: Leading causes
Teen drivers drive fast: Most teenagers believe that they are invincible. In fact, many teenagers believe that they will not be seriously injured in an accident because they are too young. Because of this, they tend to drive faster than their elders. Young people are more likely to be involved in an accident because they are more likely to be speeding. Want to satiate your hunger for speed? Head to a racetrack near you! Here’s everything you need to know about track day car insurance.
Driving under the influence: The use of alcohol and drugs before driving is another reason why younger drivers get into car accidents. Despite numerous anti-drunk-driving programs, the problem persists in the country. Drinking before getting behind the wheel hampers your ability to make sound decisions, resulting in slow reactions and poor decision-making.
Read: How long does a DUI stay on your insurance record?
Distracted driving: It is beyond doubt that teenagers are technologically savvy, but this also implies that they may become distracted while driving. When a driver is texting and driving, their vision and hearing are compromised. Even if the car travels at highway speeds, a teenage driver may not have sufficient control to keep the vehicle steady—accidents caused by texting while driving is more likely to result in wrongful death.
Read: Here’s how texting while driving is driving up your car insurance rate
Inexperience: Younger drivers lack the driving experience of their elders because they are still learning the ropes. Driving in various situations teaches older drivers how to react rapidly to changing conditions and avoid an accident, making them better drivers. Younger drivers lack the experience necessary to distinguish between evasive action and an accident.
Read: Top tips to help you pass your driving test
Teen car accidents: Impact on car insurance rates
Teenagers can be bad drivers. If your teenage son or daughter gets into a car accident, expect a dramatic increase in your car insurance rates. Here’s what you could expect when a teenager has a car accident.
- If you’ve listed your teenage son or daughter on your car insurance policy, you could expect your premium to go up after an accident.
- Your insurer might cancel your teenager’s insurance.
- Your insurer might cancel your car insurance policy.
If you cause an accident, your car insurance premiums will rise significantly. This is especially true for teenagers. Car insurance companies base their premiums on the notion that teen drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents. Hence, even a single incident can result in a significant increase in the cost of your teen’s insurance. Insurance companies may even raise the premium after a teen car accident, even if it wasn’t their fault!
Read: Car insurance for teenagers: Everything you need to know
If your teen is on your insurance policy and classified as a secondary driver, the insurance company may raise your car insurance cost. If your teenage son or daughter has caused an accident in their own car, the insurer assumes that they can do the same thing in yours. So, one way to keep your insurance prices down is to remove your teen as a listed driver on your car, and then make sure that your teen understands that they are not to drive your car under any circumstances.Â
Top tips for teenage drivers
To keep yourself, your passengers, and other road users safe, here are a few basic tips that could help build up your experience:
- Maintain a safe and legal speed for the road and weather conditions.
- Don’t engage in aggressive acceleration or braking unless necessary.
- Check your car’s tire tread depths, lights, and engine oil frequently to ensure it’s roadworthy.
- Don’t drive for more than 2.5 hours at a time. Have a long journey ahead? Take a 20-minute break in between driving stints.
- Resist peer pressure and don’t allow other motorists to influence your decision to drive dangerously.
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