For parents of teen drivers, handing over the keys for the first time can be difficult. New drivers' inexperience, winter weather conditions, and other factors can put parents on edge while their kids are out on the road. It is important for parents to talk about safety with their teen drivers, but sometimes these conversations can be tense, awkward and combative.

With this in mind, Travelers, partnering with experts from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, developed a how-to discussion guide for parents. Providing tips for navigating the rules of the road, the “Let's Talk Safety” guide helps parents reach out to teen drivers in a positive, effective way.

Agents can recommend this tool for clients with children who are new to the road. Click through the following slides for some of the key findings from Travelers' “Let's Talk Safety,” to help promote conversation between parents and teens and ultimately keep the roads safe for everyone.

Parents as Role Models

The phrase “Monkey see, monkey do” applies when it comes to safe driving practices. Parents' own driving behavior influences the way their teens act behind the wheel.

According to the survey, teens that classify their parents as bad driving role models are more than twice as likely to be involved in a car accident.

Twenty-four percent of teens that report that their parents are not good driving role models have been in more than one accident as a driver. For those who say that their parents have set a good example, this number falls to 10%.

Similarly, teens are more likely to be issued a ticket if they do not consider their parents' driving habits safe.

As role models for their children, parents need to set an example for their children and practice safe driving behavior. It is important to follow the rules of the road all of the time, but especially when children are in the car. Being mindful of speed limits, traffic signs, and eliminating any driving distractions can help parents provide a model of good driving behavior.

Disconnect Over Top Driving Concerns

But when it comes to talking to teens about safe driving, they have some other concerns that parents may not expect. Parents, too, have their own list of potential driving risks that they want to address. It is important for parents and teens to dialogue about their own biggest concerns.

Among the largest disconnects over driving concerns include:

Driving Under the Influence. While 66% of teens find driving under the influence of alcohol to be a major concern, only 14% of parents are concerned about this risk.
Distracted Driving. Being distracted by a mobile device or smartphone is a concern for 56% of teens versus 35% of parents.
Being Alert on the Road. 52% of teens are concerned about staying aware of other drivers on the road, while 31% of parents have this concern.

Having “The Talk”

There is a bit of discrepancy between parents and teen drivers concerning “the talk” about safe driving. 98% of parents claim that they have had conversations with their children about safe driving practices, while only 96% of teens report having these discussions.

Parents should strive to talk to their kids about staying safe on the roads. Research shows that earlier is better. Younger teens are more receptive to safe driving conversations with their parents. While 67% of 16-year-olds want to talk to their parents about safe driving habits, only 29% of 18-year-olds want to have this discussion.

But it is often up to parents to get their teens talking. Of the 67% of teens who want to have a discussion, half are waiting for their parents to initiate the conversation.

Agents can help parents prepare for this important conversation. By using “Let's Talk Safety” as a tool, discussions among parents and teens about safe driving habits can be more effective and prevent incidents on the road.

Special Reports /

'The Talk' About Reckless Driving

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