With more than eight million teens on the road as the 2022-23 school year kicks off nationwide, setting your children up for success behind the wheel is a priority.
Motor vehicle research specialists with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta say the number one cause of teen deaths in the United States is motor vehicle fatalities. Atlanta Metro region insurance agent Curtis Caldwell shares tips with his neighbors to help keep their children driving safely.
“Our kids need to be set up for success,” Caldwell said. “The numbers show about seven teenagers die on America’s roadways every single day. We need to do all we can to prepare our youngest group of drivers to be as safe as possible.”
Caldwell owns Brightway, The Caldwell Agency in Cumming, Georgia. A provider of auto insurance coverage for drivers of all ages in his North Georgia town, Caldwell sees the latest data that all families should be aware of before turning over the keys to their teen motorists. He notes, “It’s the mobile device that has some of the most shocking numbers. The chances of your teen motorist being in a crash increases 400 percent when they are distracted by their phone.”
According to Caldwell, here are some things your teen driver can do to make safety their top priority this school year. “It all begins with wearing your seatbelt,” Caldwell added. “Nearly half of all teens who die in an auto accident aren’t wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash.”
- Wear Your Seatbelt
- Remove Distractions - Mobile Devices, Having Teenage Passengers, etc…
- Be Alert, Not Drowsy - No driving late at night or while impaired
- Leave Early – Avoid the need to drive faster to arrive on time
- Pay Attention to Speed Limits and School Zones
- Use Turn Signals – Give other motorists time to respond to what you are doing next
- Adjust the Driver’s Seat and Mirrors, as needed
- Limit Off-Hour Driving – Latest CDC data shows that 40 percent of fatal teen motor vehicle crashes take place between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
In addition to accident awareness, it’s very important that teen drivers have an emergency kit packed in their vehicle. Among the items that should be a top priority are a cell phone charger, first-aid kit, flashlight with batteries, basic set of tools, jumper cables and a blanket.
“It’s all about making sure your teen is prepared for the situations they may face behind the wheel,” Caldwell said. “Driver inexperience is one of the main causes of teen crashes and related injuries.”
About Brightway Insurance
Established in 2008, Brightway grew to become one of the largest privately-owned property/casualty insurance distribution companies in the U.S. with over 300 franchises in 30 states and over $900 million in annual premiums. Recently, Brightway’s success led to a private equity investment that has infused the company with financial and human capital, and data and analytics access, to accelerate growth and deliver new and exciting market opportunities.
Brightway Insurance offers customized Home, Flood, Auto, Boat, Condo, Renters, Personal Articles, RV, Motorcycle, Umbrella, and Life insurance policies from many insurance companies. Hours of operation for our more than 300 agencies nationwide are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday by appointment. Find an agent near you by visiting Brightway.com/find-an-agent.
Brightway produces winning outcomes for franchisees and their customers by offering access to customized coverage solutions from a range of insurers paired with full back office and marketing support. This winning model allows agents and producers to focus on addressing the needs of their customers to become trusted advisors and grow their businesses.
