Page 8 - AAA Schuylkill County – AAA Now! – March/April 2018

INSURANCE SERVICES
Preparing for Teen Drivers
A drivers’ license is still a rite of passage for many teens – and a time of anxiety for parents. In general, young drivers are the riskiest of all drivers on the road.
To reduce insurance costs for these new drivers, consider the following:
• Increase Deductibles. The deductible is the portion you pay out of your own pocket if you have to file a claim. Higher deductibles generally equal lower premium costs.
• Check for Discounts. Discounts may be available for the first-time driver, such as the good student discount. Also, ask about discounts for online
or in-person defensive driving courses and combining multiple policies with a single insurer.
• Safety First. A new driver may want the sporty car, but the safe choice is the best choice when it comes to insurance.
It sometimes may be hard to believe, but research has shown kids value the opinions of their parents, It is a good idea to:
• Talk with your kids and share your “road wisdom.”
• Practice passenger safety. Buckle up, put your cell phone and other distractions away and drive defensively.
• As you’re driving, share what you see with your teen passenger, such as road signs, pedestrians, bicyclists, and talk about how to safely respond to these obstacles.
• Be a good role model and obey driving laws, practice safety and show you take driving seriously.
• Don’t forget insurance. For more information on auto, homeowners and other personal lines of insurance, please contact AAA Schuylkill County.
Start the process early by visiting TeenDriving.AAA.com.
Ditch Distraction Behind the Wheel
Distracted driving can have dire consequences. More than 3,400 people were killed and 391,000 people were injured in the U.S. as a result of distracted driving in 2015, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Drivers are confronted with a steady stream of distractions – vehicle navigation and entertainment systems, mobile phones, passenger conversations, eating and drinking, and more.
Anything that takes the driver’s attention
away from driving can be dangerous. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that distraction “latency” can last up to 27 seconds, meaning that even after drivers put down the phone or stop fiddling with the navigation system, their mind isn’t fully engaged with the task of driving.
Teens should be especially mindful of distracted driving. Not only do teens have the highest crash rates per mile driven, but they are also among the drivers most impaired by distraction.
Here are our top tips to minimize distraction while driving:
Focus on driving. Actively scan the road for hazards, use your mirrors and watch out for pedestrians and cyclists.
Never text and drive. According to NHTSA, texting is the most concerning distraction. Sending or
reading a text takes your eyes off the road for
5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. Texting while driving has been banned in 47 states and the District of Columbia.
Pull off the road. If you must make a call, return a text or do anything else that would take your attention off the road, find a safe spot and
pull over.
Get set before you go. Plug your destination into your GPS and adjust your seats, mirrors, music and climate control before you step on the gas.
Don’t eat or drink while driving. Eating and drinking can take your hands off the wheel and your eyes off the road. If possible, eat meals or snacks before or after your trip, not while driving.
Let passengers give you a hand. If something is distracting to you, ask a passenger to take care of it, so you can focus on driving.
Settle children and pets before getting underway. If they need your attention, pull off the road safely to care for them. Reaching into the backseat can cause you to lose control of the vehicle.
Don’t dress and drive. Finish personal grooming at home – before you get on the road.
Get the right coverage. For information about auto insurance, call your AAA insurance agent at AAA Schuylkill County.
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MARCH APRIL 2018