Page 3 - AAA Northway – AAA Now! – Fall 2017

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Choosing the Right Car Can Protect Teen Drivers
AAA offers suggestions for parents
Getting a driver’s license is an important milestone for both teens and parents, but the two may have different opinions when it comes to selecting the ideal car. Although “fun” and “stylish” may be key features for teens, AAA understands that most parents are most concerned with safety.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teens, resulting in thousands of fatalities and many more severe injuries each year. Concerned parents can help protect their teens, who are statistically the riskiest drivers on the road, by selecting a safe car.
A teen driver’s safety is a team effort. While teens need to understand their responsibilities behind the wheel, parents should understand their roles in ensuring that teens are driving safe vehicles.
Teen Car Selection Tips
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 unsafe driving.
Pick a vehicle that has the right safety features. Teens should drive vehicles that offer sufficient protection in the case of a crash. New cars are likely to be equipped with the latest in safety gear, but 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 – such as when a driver over-corrects to avoid an obstacle – can cause rollover accidents in less stable vehicles. A car with a lower center of gravity has a better chance of safely managing an emergency situation.
Check safety ratings of vehicles. Before you buy, check online safety ratings of cars you are considering for your teen.
Insurance for teen drivers can be more expensive since young drivers have yet to establish a track record of safe driving. Depending on the insurance
carrier, discounts such as defensive drivers course and good student discounts may help to offset the increase in premium cost for young drivers.
To learn more about your coverage, cost and discount options, call your local AAA Insurance office at 866-222-0937 to speak to a AAA insurance representative or visit AAA.com/Insurance.
To learn more about teen driving safety please visit teendriving.aaa.com.
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Contact AAA Insurance for your free insurance checkup:
1-866-222-0937 | AAA.com/Insurance
AAA Auto & Home Insurance received the highest numerical Equity Score and the highest numerical score relating to Trust among Property & Casualty brands included in the 2017 Harris Poll EquiTrend® Study, which is based on opinions of 102,617. U.S. consumers ages 15 and over surveyed online between December 30, 2016 and February 21, 2017. Your opinion may differ. “Highest Ranked” was determined by a pure ranking of a sample of Property & Casualty brands. Insurance provided by CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer.
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