Page 19 - AAA Central Penn – AAA Now! – November/December 2015

DRIVING SCHOOL
AAA
TM
Choose the Right Car to Protect Your Teen Driver
AAA Central Penn Offer Suggestions for Parents
“Fun,” “stylish” and “powerful” may be how teens would describe their ideal cars, but very different attributes may be what’s best for them when it comes to safety – and parents’ piece of mind.
Teenagers are the riskiest drivers on the road. In fact, teen drivers have the highest death rates of any age group. Nearly 2,000 teen drivers died in motor vehicle crashes in 2013, and many more were left severely injured.
While getting a driver’s license is still an important rite of passage for many teens, it can cause parents to lose sleep. However, AAA Central Penn says concerned parents can help protect their teens who are car shopping by ensuring they choose a safe car.
“A teen driver’s safety is a team effort,” said John Kubeika, Director of Insurance. “Teens need to understand their responsibilities behind the wheel and parents need to understand their role in working with their teen to choose a safe car.”
• Steer away from vehicles that encourage reckless driving. Teen drivers lack road experience. Sports cars – and other high-performance vehicles with a lot of horsepower – may encourage speeding and reckless driving.
• Pick a vehicle that has the right safety features. Teens should drive vehicles that offer sufficient protection. While new cars are likely to be equipped with the latest in safety gear, if you’re considering an older car, check for features such as anti-lock brakes, air bags and electronic stability control.
• Don’t let your teen drive an unstable vehicle. Sport utility vehicles, especially smaller ones, tend to
be less stable than cars because
of their higher centers of gravity.
Rapid steering maneuvers – the
kind that can occur when a driver
over-corrects to avoid an obstacle –
can cause rollovers in less stable
vehicles. A car with a lower center of gravity
has a better chance of handling such a maneuver as well.
• Check safety ratings of vehicles. Before you buy, check out online safety ratings of cars you are considering for your teen.
Insurance for teens can be more expensive because they don’t have a track record of safe driving. Check with your insurance agent to make sure you are taking advantage of insurance discounts, or call AAA Central Penn Insurance at 888-787-7633 to get a quote.
Mature Drivers Recognized for Safety Class Participation
Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller presented certificates to approximately 25 Pennsylvanians who successfully completed a mature driver safety class in Dauphin County. Miller also reminded participants that state law requires a minimum
5 percent discount for drivers age 55 and older who complete PennDOT approved motor vehicle driver improvement courses.
“I congratulate everyone who made the commitment to take this course, for becoming
safer drivers and contributing to the safety of everyone on our roads,” Miller told the participants in the mature driver safety class conducted by AAA Central Penn in Dauphin County. “Governor Wolf has made consumer protection a top priority of his administration, and my department makes sure
all drivers who qualify for this safe driver discount receive it from their insurance company,” Miller said.
State law mandates a premium discount of not less than 5 percent for each motor vehicle on a policy under which all named insureds are 55 years of age or older and have successfully completed a motor vehicle driver improvement course meeting the
standards of the PA Department of Transportation. These discounts are good for three years, beginning with the next policy period following the successful completion of the course.
“As important as the premium reduction is, even more important is that everyone who completes one of these safe driver courses is a better driver,” Miller said. “I commend everyone for taking this course, and AAA for providing these classes for mature drivers.”
Miller noted Pennsylvania’s roads are becoming safer, with PennDOT reporting in April the number of highway deaths in 2014 was 1,195, the lowest total since recordkeeping began in 1928.
“Making sure Pennsylvanians know these driver improvement courses are available through AAA and other organizations, and that my department enforces the law to make sure consumers get
the premium reductions to which they are entitled helps fulfill Governor Wolf’s mission of a government that works,” Miller said.
Miller also advised participants that are parents to talk to their insurance professional about discounts
(l to r) Shawn Kaup, Director of Marketing, AAA Central Penn; Teresa Miller, Commissioner, PA Department of Insurance; Frank Frailey, President & CEO, AAA Central Penn
for teens who complete safe driver courses. Miller noted safe driver courses are also available through schools and other organizations for teen drivers. While state law does not mandate auto insurance reductions for teens who successfully complete these courses, many companies offer discounts.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015
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